“Live not for Battles Won.Live not for The-End-of-the-Song. Live in the along.”
Gwendolyn Brooks' quote urges readers to focus on the journey and experiences in life rather than solely striving for victories or reaching the end goal. By emphasizing the importance of living "in the along," Brooks highlights the significance of embracing the present moment and finding fulfillment in the everyday experiences that shape our lives. This perspective encourages individuals to appreciate the process of growth and self-discovery, rather than solely fixating on achieving success and reaching a destination. Overall, the quote serves as a reminder to savor the journey, rather than just the destination.
Gwendolyn Brooks' poem encourages readers to focus on the journey and experiences of life, rather than just the ultimate goals or achievements. This message is still relevant today as it reminds us to appreciate the present moment and not get caught up in constantly striving for success or recognition. Embracing the process and finding joy in the "along" can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
One of Gwendolyn Brooks' most famous quotes is “Live not for Battles Won. Live not for The-End-of-the-Song. Live in the along.” This quote emphasizes the importance of living in the present and enjoying the journey rather than just focusing on end goals. Brooks' philosophy encourages people to appreciate every moment and experience life fully.
In this quote by Gwendolyn Brooks, she encourages us to focus on the journey rather than just the achievements or outcomes. Take some time to reflect on the following questions:
“Say to them,say to the down-keepers,the sun-slappers,the self-soilers,the harmony-hushers,"Even if you are not ready for dayit cannot always be night."You will be right.For that is the hard home-run.Live not for battles won.Live not for the-end-of-the-song.Live in the along.”
“She was afraid to suggest to him that to most people, nothing "happens." That most people merely live from day to day until they die. That, after he had been dead a year, doubtless fewer than five people would think of him oftener than once a year. That there might even come a year when no one on earth would think of him at all.”
“When You Have Forgotten Sunday: The Love Story-- And when you have forgotten the bright bedclothes on a Wednesday and a Saturday, And most especially when you have forgotten Sunday -- When you have forgotten Sunday halves in bed, Or me sitting on the front-room radiator in the limping afternoon Looking off down the long street To nowhere, Hugged by my plain old wrapper of no-expectation And nothing-I-have-to-do and I’m-happy-why? And if-Monday-never-had-to-come— When you have forgotten that, I say, And how you swore, if somebody beeped the bell, And how my heart played hopscotch if the telephone rang; And how we finally went in to Sunday dinner, That is to say, went across the front room floor to the ink-spotted table in the southwest corner To Sunday dinner, which was always chicken and noodles Or chicken and rice And salad and rye bread and tea And chocolate chip cookies --I say, when you have forgotten that, When you have forgotten my little presentiment That the war would be over before they got to you; And how we finally undressed and whipped out the light and flowed into bed, And lay loose-limbed for a moment in the week-end Bright bedclothes, Then gently folded into each other— When you have, I say, forgotten all that, Then you may tell, Then I may believe You have forgotten me well.”
“We real cool. We Left school. We Lurk late. We Strike straight. We Sing sin. We Thin gin. We Jazz June. We Die soon.”
“I shall create! If not a note, a hole./If not an overture, a desecration.”
“Each body has its art...”