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Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,955
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Please help me find this poem-

“I paid a dime for a package os seeds,

and the clerk tossed them out with a flip-

 

“We’ve got ‘em assorted for every Man”s needs!”,

He said, with a smile on his lips.

 

”Pansies, and Poppies, and Asters and Peas, 

Ten cents a package, and pick as you please”.

 

Now seeds are just dimes to the man in the store, 

And dimes are the things that he needs.

 

And I’d been to buy them, Seasons before, 

And I’d thought of them merely as seeds.

 

But it came to my mind, as I took them this time,

”You have purchased a Miracle here for a dime.

 

”You’ve a dime’s worth of Power no Man can create,

You’ve a dime’s worth of Life in your hand.

 

You’ve a Dime’s worth of Mystery, Destiny Faith,

That the Wisest cannot understand.

 

In that bright little Package, now isn’t it odd?”

You’ve a dime’s worth of something known only to God.

 

 

 

I am desperately trying to find the ORIGIN or AUTHOR of this poem. I have tried Google searches with no results. I’m posting it here hoping that some other little girl or boy recited it for THEIR 3rd Grade commencement in 1954.

 

As @cherry pointed out recently, poetry was a part of life to a much greater degree in American education when some of us were kids, and this poem has stuck firmly to me for over 65 years.

 

Hoping maybe someone else will recognize it.

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Re: Please help me find this poem-

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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,602
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

I hope someone can help you. What a cute poem. 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,927
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

Google:  Edgar A. Guest poetry

Do the math.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,739
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

The Green Thumb Jan., 1950 PLAN NOW— A new year is beginning and there will be many ...... By Edgar A. Guest I paid a dime for a package of seeds And the clerk tossed them out with a flip. “We've got 'em assorted for every man's needs,” He said with a smile on his lips; “Pansies and poppies and asters and peas!

Super Contributor
Posts: 433
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

Violann

It's  called  A  Packet of  Seeds put that in  your search and it will come up.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,739
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

[ Edited ]

violannn  I am proud to say he was a Detroiter

 

 

ItCouldn’tt BeDoneByy Edgar Albert Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
      But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
      Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
      On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh,you’lll never do that;
      At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
      And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
      Without any doubting or quiddit
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      Thatcouldn’tt be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
      There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
      The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
      Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
      That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,955
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

How WONDERFUL and how THOUGHTFUL of you all! It’s amazing how a little gesture can make or break a day.

 

Hoping you all have some delightful surprise today, as you’ve given me.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,788
Registered: ‎08-18-2016

Re: Please help me find this poem-

That's a lovely poem, @violann .

   For future reference, I just copy and pasted your first few lines into Google and your poem popped right up. 

    Have a lovely spring day. 🌷🌷🌷

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,941
Registered: ‎03-30-2010

Re: Please help me find this poem-

@violann 

 

I love the poem!  Thank you for posting!

 

You stated it was recited by a 3rd grade boy in 1953.  I bet it wouldn't be allowed today.  "God" was mentioned!  Our public schools have eliminated that name and any reference to it.