Poetry from the Generations 

Don't Complain
by Velma M. Carlson
(1947)

When your days are dark and gloomy
   And you’re feeling down and blue
Don’t give up and let it get you
   There’s so much that you can do
When you’re feeling low in spirit
   And it seems the sun won’t shine
Fight it off and keep a-moving
   Don’t give up, to sit and whine
If you feel that your are beaten
  You can never win the day;

Just say “I know that I can do it,”
   For where there’s a will there’s a way.
Don’t give up and say “I’m weary -
   What’s the use for me to try?”
Scatter sunshine to your neighbor.
   Don’t just sit around and cry.
You may not achieve great power
   Nor may never rise to fame
Pass a kind word to your neighbor
   You’ll have just as much to gain

You can help our boys in combat
   On the land, or far at sea;
But you can’t if you don’t want to
   It’s really up to you and me
Don’t give up and grieve so deeply
   It won’t help if it’s your boy
Many mothers’ hearts are heavy;
   Maybe you could bring them joy.
Maybe they have greater sorrows.
   If you but pause and give it thought.
If you but think of them more often
   It would ease your own a lot.

We at home have every comfort
   Warmth and food and loving care
And to sit around and grumble, well
   It just really isn’t fair.
Give a broad grin to your neighbor
   Help to cheer him, urge him on.
Do defense work in your kitchen,
   Start each morning with a song.
Help those lads of ours in service
   Keep “Old Glory” waving high,
And those clouds which seem so heavy
   Hanging o’er you in the sky.

Let the sun shine brightly through them.
   I know you can if you’ll but say
“I have been so down and gloomy,
   But I’m not, I’m not , today.
There are things I must accomplish
   There’s so much that I can do.
Look at all the time I’ve wasted
   Just sitting around and feeling blue.
I’ve had days when I’ve been weary,
   Many days when I've been blue
So that’s just why I’ve learned the answers
   We want to help our boys in service
Help to keep the homes we love
   Help to keep “Old Glory” waving

       Giving thanks to God, above.”

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