Legacy Poem
Every journey
And every life
Has ups and downs
And sometimes strife
In a moment
Of quiet reflection
I ask myself
What is my direction
What has been
Worthwhile and fulfilling
What is the point
Of actually living
What will I gather
Create and build
And when I die
Who will reap the yield
What will it be worth
In value or contribution
Will it be fought over
Or disappear into oblivion
What is worth saving
And passing on
What do we share
And what is long gone
Is my legacy
What lives on in others
Those acts of kindness
And joyful comforts
How will I feel
If there’s no legacy at all
If it was all for nought
And I didn’t hear my call
Why are the promoted
Lauded for what they’ve done
And the humble and meek
Never receive recognition
Every person
Has made a difference
Only you can decide
If you’ve lived in congruence
If you can live
Knowing everything is passing
Then perhaps you will choose
What is truthful and lasting
Energy can change
But never fade
Remember this
On your own crusade
Be the champion
Of every day
Truly be you
In every way
Whether you leave
A legacy or not
Compared to the universe
We are just a dot
And that’s okay
No judgement needed
Just keep on living
With all you’ve seeded
This poem was prompted by Maria Ganci, an Eating Disorder Specialist. Maria asked me to write a poem on ‘legacy’ on 8 May 2025. It took me some time to formulate my ideas and thoughts on this topic and when I was on the train to Bendigo on 15 May 2025, it just flowed from my mind to my notebook.
When a crisis occurs, or we confront our mortality in some way, I think the concept of ‘legacy’ is something we reflect on and wonder ‘why’ we are doing what we are doing.
I am conscious of second-guessing myself and I sometimes wonder if I have done ‘everything’ wrong. But of course, I haven’t and neither have you!
We have all been able to plant little seeds of hope and kindness in the hearts and minds of others, sometimes without even realising it (or being acknowledged for it).
It can be easy to forget those little seeds when we feel overwhelmed or we don’t feel as if we have done enough. If society measures ‘success’ in a way that we have not been able to achieve, we can also feel as if we have failed in some way.
I am constantly inspired by the people I meet and what they have been able to achieve both individually and collectively. I hope this Legacy Poem reminds you of ALL the things you have already passed on to others and for you to reflect on that value right now. I also hope you can keep living life in alignment with your values. With love, Sue Ellson🙂
#legacy #legacypoem #SueEllson #SueEllsonPoem #poem #poetry
Photo is of yellow flowers in Kasouka Road Camberwell on 4 April 2025.
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