I Must Remember

I MUST REMEMBER

I must remember well this day of storm
How flattened grass has strength to rise again
To fresher green, how nestlings shelter warm
And safe against the buffeting of rain.
I must recall how low the willow bends
Yet does not break, how after storm is done
And all the fury spent, the Father sends
Through breaking clouds, a sudden ray of sun.

In some far day when I no longer sing
And all my world lies shattered at my feet,
Out of these memories my heart may bring
Some evidence that life may yet be sweet.
I must remember, when the year is old,
How daffodils can conquer winter's cold.



The author of this piece, Mary Pavey, was born in 1905. She taught elementary school, married a farmer, raised twelve children, and wrote poetry. Mary's unpublished work has been read and loved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for over 60 years. We dearly love Mary’s vibrant and generous heart, and her spirit is fully alive in her poems.