The Desiderata Of Love: A Collection of Poems for the Beloved

Desiderata #3

by Max Ehrmann

This collection of inspirational poems by the famous poet Max Ehrmann brings together twenty-four poems of love between men and women. They beautifully express his eternal optimism and undying love of human beings and their joyful relationship with each other.

I Shall Come to Her

lf some there be with aged mien

Who wisely smile at love.

And say 'tis but a childish dream

And one they are above,

To them I say who sit and smile,

Because they so prefer,

I pray I shall not die until

My feet have come to her.

I know somewhere tonight she sits

Within her father's home,

While I a foot-loose wanderer

Am destined still to roam.

But I shall find her out I know

And thus within her place

She calmly sits and waits for me,

And she will know my face.

And one sweet day, we two shall meet,

Whatever may occur;

And so content I wander on,

For I shall come to her.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 1995

About the author

Max Ehrmann (September 26, 1872 - September 9, 1945), an attorney from Indiana, was best known for writing the prose poem "Desiderata" (Latin: "things desired as essential") in 1927.

Ehrmann, who was of German descent, received a degree in English from DePauw University, followed by a degree in Philosophy from Harvard University. He then returned to his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana to practice law. Eventually this led him to work in his family's meatpacking business and in the overalls manufacturing industry. Finally at the age of 41, Ehrmann decided to forget such work and become a writer. At the age of 55 he wrote Desiderata, which achieved fame only after his death

Reviews

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grabbed this book from a shed in the neighborhood that is called "the free box". I often pick up donated books there that grab my attention. I take them home and either return it the next time I am donating stuff because it didn't end up being a book I wanted to read, read it and re-donate it, or keep it. I brought this book home and wasn't expecting too much; I had just thought it was a pretty book. However, I read it in one sitting and was pleasantly surprised. It is not the style of poetry I usually enjoy. I also could not resonate with some of the religious undertones. However, overall, it has some pretty poems about love that are really sweet and pretty. I think my younger self (late teens to early 20's) would have really appreciated it. I decided to keep it. There are enough pretty and sweet poems about love in the book that it is a nice book to have around for someone to flip through

[Amanda Miranda-Flores · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are a couple of lines that make you pause, but the writing is stilted and uninspired. The thous and thuses are an added excess to the lines that go on and on and lead you feeling emptier than when you started.

[ej · Rating 3 out of 5]

“the one man” nearly made me cry but it wasn’t exceptional nor somethin i’d share with someone, overall alright n an easy one sittin read - too much god talk for me personally but as the poems were quite short i pushed through

[Ross K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small collection of Max Ehrmann poetry is an enjoyable read. In its romantic pieces on relationships it captures something of the subtlety of love, longing, desire and loss. It strays into the religious here and there - a bit much for my liking - but I found a few pieces that resonated nicely for me as a some-time crafter of poetry and editor thereof.

My favourite is probably "To-morrow I'm Away"

It left me with the impression of a mid-century modern esthetic. Kind of a Don Draper meets Rumi. lol

[Loreen ☕️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to complete task 17 a collection of poetry.