179. MAX EHRMANN: Desiderata
Desiderata (Latin for ‘things to be desired’) is a famous poem with a complicated history. Max Ehrmann (1872-1945), a lawyer and poet from Indiana, wrote the poem sometime in the 1920s and distributed it locally, although it never received any widespread attention. However in the 1950s, the Reverend of St. Paul’s Church in Baltimore printed the poem in a collection of devotional pieces for his congregation with a notation stating “Old St. Pauls Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692.” As the booklet got distributed more and more over the years, it led to people believing the poem originated with the church and was hundreds of years old, despite the modern style of writing. The wrong credit gained more credibility after the death of American politician Adlai Stevenson in 1965. A copy of Desiderata was found on his bedside table, putting the poem in the spotlight again, but of course it had the incorrect St. Paul’s attribution. It went on to be hugely popular in the late 60s and early 70s among the counter-culture generation. So if you see the poem around with the wrong credit, make sure to give props to Max Ehrmann.
I adapted Desiderata as a result of a contest my book publisher, Andrews McMeel, held at the recent Book Expo of America. Visitors were asked to vote for their favourite poem out of three choices, with the winner being adapted into a Zen Pencils comic. I submitted three of the most-requested poems I get sent to me: Desiderata, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night and Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep. I hadn’t got around to adapting any of them because I had put them in the “too hard” basket. The contest forced me to figure one of them out at least, and I’m glad I finally did. Thanks to everyone who voted and thanks to all of you who’ve sent me this poem.
– The previous comic featuring the Shaolin Monk and the words of The Dalai Lama.
– Related poetry adaptations with cool one-word titles: Ithaka, Invictus and Ozymandias.
Here’s the late, great Leonard Nimoy reciting Desiderata.
Discussion (148) ¬
Wow, Gav! That was great! I have always enjoyed this poem and have it pinned to my wall at work.
Nicely done!
This is simply a masterpiece. You pieced together panels that flow so well and fit with the poetry so beautifully. Congrats!
Hey, i’m a fan from italy, great work, i really love your site, i subscribed your feed so i always know when you post something new,
I didn’t know “do not stand at my grave and weep” but i got curious and i read it, it is a really wonderful poem, and i’d really like to see it become a wonderful comic.
If i had to do it (thing i am not able to do), i’d draw it as the story of a widow who get gifted from someone (her son?) a travel, and seeing the world gains the will to live again.
Well, you have to do that Dylan Thomas poem now 🙂
Which Dylan Thomas poem?
“Do Not Go Gentle…” It’s always struck me a such a young man’s poem.
+1 for Dylan Thomas poem
I vote yes for the Dylan Thomas poem too!
uhm… so the monk kicked his ass because he stole food? (yes, i’m aware of the beaten girl, but even so…).
He stole the food *from* the girl by beating her, rather than stealing it from the monk, or just asking. He preyed on the weak.
Look again. You can see the wrapped fish lying next to the young girl.
The monk does not seem concerned about the theft of the fish from his basket. He is, I believe, reacting to the violence against an innocent.
The man stole the fish from the monk’s basket, not the girl’s package. The monk didn’t react when the man stole his fish. He only reacted once the innocent was harmed.
And here I was thinking of that section, appreciating that something was done 🙂 I know the current thinking is to sit back, do nothing (except maybe take a photo and cover it in hashtags) and give some wildly inaccurate statement should the police actually turn up, but it’s good to see a comic that doesn’t disapprove of people seeking to uphold what is right, rather than passively outsourcing it to a government department.
In any event, the monk kicked him once to stop him after he stole and assaulted someone. After that, the villain attacked and the monk defended himself. I doubt you’d find many people who would have much sympathy.
Are you arguing in favour of the thug?
He not only mugged the little girl, he also attacked the monk when stopped.
Beautiful story!
It’s Adlai Stevenson BTW. 🙂
Max Ehrmann
Gav this is great. I have been following your comics since the first one came out.
You have a way of expressing stories that convey greater meanings beyond the first level of abstraction.
Keep up the great work! You are an inspiration for people like me.
This could not come at a more appropriate time in my life. Less than an hour ago I had to flee my sisters bbq because it was full of noisy strangers.
Thank you again for making these comics.
Brilliant interpretation. Thank you for sharing your gift.
wow. Very powerful imagery for a very powerful poem. Thank you for the link to Mr. Nimoy reciting this, as well. Please never stop inspiring us.
This was so beautiful! I have never seen the poem in its entirety. Thank you! Powerful and beautiful.
Love your work. Always. Thoughtful, considered, as well as beatuifully drawn.
Inspirational indeed! Zen at its best.
Is it just me, or does the girl look a little bit like Sokka from Avatar: the Last Airbender in the last panel?
This is another truly heartening comic. It is so easy to forget such basic truths in life and to let the complications consume you. Thank you for posting this and reminding me of the good in life.
This beautiful poem and comic was very much needed for me. Great timing.
Life is not always easy and this is the kind of words we want to hear in those times.
Thanks
Thank you! I love this poem! I use to read it over and over, i just love it. Thank you!
Great job as always! Are you familiar with the parody “Deteriorata”? I recall listening to it on the radio when I was in college.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deteriorata
Wow, that was great! How can I get a poster of this to put up in my doctor’s waiting room? The kids in there would get a kick out of reading it and it would help to pass the time. I think the older patients would like it, too.
This is absolutely wonderful! Love it!
I’ll be buying a poster of this as soon as one’s available. 🙂
My grandfather has had a framed version of this on his desk for as long as I can remember. It sometimes does the opposite of inspire me though, because I’m probably one of those loud excitable people you should probably avoid according to the author. Especially as a girl from India I’m sort of the opposite of the calm quiet persona you are supposed to have…
Keep doing your thing 🙂
It’s what makes you YOU
Thanks Candice 🙂
That line stopped me in my reading flow too. I’m not a particularly loud person, but I enjoy being around loud, cheerful people. I think it is key to recognize the context of that line. Ehrmann speaks about loud and aggressive people that are VEXATIOUS to your spirit. And he is right! Sometimes people try to attack your moral and ideals (for their own reasons) and they appear more convincing if they raise their voice or become aggressive about their viewpoint. What Ehrman IMO is trying to say is that you should simply stay away from those people. There is no point in talking to them if they have to rely on such cheap tactics in order to convince you. That’s how I read it anyways…
On the other hand I don’t think that there is anything wrong with being a loud and cheery as long as your intentions are good. Some people might be annoyed because they dislike noise and therefore it might be good to check whether that behavior is appropriate in certain contexts, but I for example like it a lot. And I think (as a non-Indian, have been there though) that it might be quite healthy for Indian culture to have this “calm quiet” norm broken every once in a while. All the best Aditi!
Wow! That was beautiful. I actually didn’t want slides to end. Thank you for your awesome work.
Excellent work once again Gav – your gift of interpretation is second to none.
Greatly done. Thank you.
Simply beautiful
Beautiful and Excellent Gav. Thank you!
This is my new favorite among all your awesome work, Gav!
Brilliant piece. Will be coming back to it at the start of what seems like a long week.
Kudos to your publisher for unfolding the situations that led to you illustrating this beautiful- and much needed- quote.
what an awesome strip! demands an video clip to be made! 🙂
I ran from one line to the next. Amazingly well drafted. loved it!!
i think this omne was the best i’ve seen. they are always awesome, but this one was just something i needed to hear right now. great work as usual man, keep on rocking
Superb One!!! I needed to read this today. Thanks a lot !!!
Wow. I needed this comic so badly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you Gav.
Great work!
I enjoy your work and think this is good as a stand alone piece. However I am finding that whatever the content of the piece, it seems the underlying story in most of your comics is the current zietgiest of “find what you love, then do it. Your life will be amazing. The end”. That message is nowhere to be found in the original poem though and makes the whole thing quite jarring.
If you go on drawing comics with monks fighting and people finding “their true passion” then your comments section will surely always be filled with comments like “Awesome! Amazing!!” for who can be seen to disparage such a nobel idea? However I don’t think this is art worthy of your talents. Nor is this such a universal truth throughout all philosophy…perhaps you need to expand your reading??
I agree, Joe. What a thoughtful comment.
You have an amazing gift for transforming words into a form that makes them accessible for so many, Gavin. Thank you for having the courage to use it to spread such positive and provocative messages. Truly. (And that one image with the hero jumping through the crowd just strikes me as terrifically clever. Well played!)
I don’t usually comment….I sit back and read, watch, observe….but when I do….Mr.Aung…”Beautiful Post man!”. Thank You.
GAV Please do the rocky dialogue as the next cartoon pls
the nipples on that guy.
I loved this, Gavin!
Please put a version of this in your store…
I have always loved this saying! It’s a wondeful comic you’ve done…. will you be offering it as a poster soon? I’d love this for my classroom…. Thanks.
I’m just happy that he found a student to pass on his teachings too. Awesome poem as well, really needed it for today.
Now that you’ve shown yourself you can do a “too hard” one please revisit Dylan Thomas. My favorite poet and my favorite comic artist would truly make my heart smile. 🙂
I didn’t realize the connection till the very end, but my mom gave this to my dad framed on nice paper when they were in their 20s. I learned about the gift just a few years before their passing; maybe 6 years ago.
I still have the original copy and it is one of the greatest things I have left to remember them by.
Thank you for this.
Love this comic! The monk “Strikes” again, both by his humility then his right action!
Even the wubuquan is accurate. Amazing job, as always.
It is said that we learn from our mistakes; by now I should be already a genius.
Desiderata has special meaning for me, your drawings bring it to life and I want to pass it on to my daughter in that form. Will this poster be available for purchase soon?
loved it!
Please do a Spanish version. http://letras.com/arturo-benavides/372068/
I have to admit that this is one of the best comics I´ve ever seen from you, congratulations. While I was reading it for the third time and doing it out loud for the second I realised how great was your work and how I was looking at something that was first thought by someone, and I started wondering about the creative process of giving a background story to that poem, wich I am sure I wouldn´t have given it anything even near to what you created, and I am glad you did, because it helped me to get a new interpretation even more meaningful. At last, it was also kind of comforting to read that it was a challenge to you to draw this one, made me think about how within ourselves, our demons are angels. Congratulations Gav!
my father had purchased a poster of this in childhood and while growing up he had asked to me explain this to him. i could never really understand the rea meaning and always thought of it as a poem with complex words but seeing your work i have learnt to appreciate the depth of it 🙂
thanks GAV!!! for always surprising people with your work 😀
Great Work GAV!!! Always have been an admirer of your work and it always gets better 🙂 Kudos
This poem is amazing so beatiful, and your adaptations brings a new layer of wisdom on it, i feel fortunate for having the opportunity of knowing this poem thru your comic; Thank you gavin
Hey Gav,
Loved the poem. Loved the comic too. As a story, the comic is wonderful. But when you said that you thought the poem was too hard to convert into a comic, I think you were right. From the “Take kindly the counsel of the years” line onwards, the comic’s story becomes less and less relevant to the poem.
That’s my opinion anyways. But still a very good attempt at a hard job. Keep it up!
great work, this is AWESOME!
Bravo. This is one of my favorite pieces and you have brought it to life brilliantly.
This is really beautiful! Will it be available in a canvas print?
AMAZING. As always
I absolutely love your work and this is the best one so far! Great job!
I love your work, it’s a site I check frequently, and I’m always amazed by the selection of texts and the style with which you visualize them. I’m not normally a commenter, but I had to for this one, for two reasons:
One: Right from reading Desiderata, I knew this was going to be good. Desiderata is actually one of five poems – and the centre piece of them – that adorn the inside of my bedroom door. I think you did this poem justice, it really came out well, and I hope you feel encouraged to try your hand at other “too hard” poems, quotes or texts.
Two: It’s so great that you put that whole thing about Old St. Pauls Church and Max Ehrmann in the text. The five poems on my door are actually postcards, and the Desiderata one had the wrong attribution. I did learn about that a few years ago, and ever since it reads a correction – so it wasn’t new to me, but it’s still good to see it written out here as well.
Thank you, Gav, not only for this one, but for all of them. You’re doing something amazing here. Thank you.
Amazing and inspirational! I would love to read more!!
Great Work GAV!!! Always have been an admirer of your work and it always gets bette
Wow! I’ve been reading your pieces for a while a wondered what you might do with Desiderata. Great job! If anyone wants a beautiful poster or print of the words, I have them available at desiderata.com
I really enjoyed this. When would it be available for purchase?
This is an incredible life poem.
Amazing.
Thanks you.
Wow. I needed this comic so badly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
it is a magnificent poem translated for fifty years around the world and of which no one knew what it was author.
This is absolutely fantastic! Likely my favorite of your work! You should make it in a computer wallpaper format, I’d love to see it every time I open my laptop. I couldn’t pay for it, though, sadly. Please keep up your fantastic work!
Have you considered writing a graphic novel in this vein? This is right up my alley, do you have anything else to read / view? Lovely work. Keep going! 🙂
For me Gav this comic comes as a much needed inspiration. Especially “Remember what peace there may be in Silence” and “Keep interested in your Career”. These words and the corresponding images you have conceived of are really amazing. We live in a very competitive world and it’s very important to realize that somebody will always be better than us and accepting whatever life throws at us is the only way to live a peaceful life. Thanks a ton for this.
Actually I wanted a poster for this poem. I could not find that for sale, is it available?
One of your best, Gav. Congratulations.
This was a very inspired piece Gav, Congrats,
loved this comic. so beautifully illustrated each panel capturing as aspect of the words I would never have appreciated otherwise <3 <3 <3
Hi Gav, Though your art work is always excellent,for this particular poem, i felt the story didnt do complete justice..as a youngster this poem had a great influence on me and some how words were enough to convey its meaning.
I feel the greatness of this poem lies in the fact that it applies universally to every single person in any situation. So trapping this poem into a particular setting seems to limit its universal appeal.
Nevertheless, it was a v.difficult choice and hats off to your courage and skill.
Thank you.
Gav, great job. The backgrounds were lovely and the incident depicted underlined the points of the poem so well. There is a sociological point in the story too — the big bully with his large supply overcoming, through violence and power, an innocent and modest person. In one way this symbolizes the present-day power of the oligarchy over smaller countries and businesses and all the innocent peoples who are negatively impacted by such actions. The monk shows us the power of one to overcome injustice by his own small example.
“Be careful. Strive to be happy” do not strike me ao much as “do want you want and perfect joy will follow.” Rather — and as so beautifully shown in your drawings — it says, Be careful to choose good exemplars. Humble yourself enough to learn from those who aren’t prideful, and from their examples. And yes, we must strive to achieve happiness — daily, as in meditation and exercise and pwrforming good works — as the monk and his student show us.
Simply, wow, Gav! The challenge showed you what YOU are capable of, and that is good works which inspire others. You are a light of the world, for the world. Thank you.
Grt stuff Gav.A fine tribute to the finest poem.In the 60’s I collected and read all he classic coms here in Blore.The set is now with my US sis!
I liked this comic. It would be the best by Gav. Congrats and keep creating more comics like this.
Thank you so much for creating this. I love your work, but Desiderata has been one of my absolute favorites for a long time, so this is especially beautiful to me.
Nice one Gav, so many feels. The monk’s epic story continues…
Beautiful, you made my day.
Well done Gavin. Please make a full length print available. I would love to hang this on the back of my office door.
Anyway we can get a poster of this
This is a glorious message. I remember it was printed on a wall in someone’s house I used to frequent growing up. At some point I confused Desiderata with the Paradoxical Commandments. Maybe I’m not the only person 😉
Gavin – Desiderata is one of your best! I shared it with a bunch of recovering drug addicts and it made several of the them cry. I hope that you realize how your art and communication touch people’s hearts. I would encourage you to look at that “too hard” basket and see what other challenges await you. -JohnC.
Any chance that this will become available to buy as a poster? I’ve always loved this poem and your artwork makes it beautiful to look at as well.
Hi Gavin,
This comic is brilliantly done. I would like to buy this one as a poster as soon as it’s available. Any chance if you’ll sell one? Or when would it be available?
I love this poem!
Gaaaav! Sweet amazing Gav!
Thank you so much for this one! Although I don’t know if you can still remember that I emailed you a request a year ago, asking you to do Desiderata. Still, I’m thanking you whether you did this because of my request or not!
You never cease to make me say “wow”
Awesome work!! 😀 Loved it <3 🙂
Hya, I’d love to purchase a poster of “Desiderata”. By far, my favourite piece! Any chances of advertising it soon? Cheers
Thank you
thank you guys 🙂
Dear Gavin,
I wouldnt have realised how deep this poem is without the wondeful drawings. I couldnt stop my self crying; no, in fact I didnt stop. thank you for this refined work.
tuba
Beautiful, you made my day.
I love this so much 🙂 When you do “Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep”, I’m absolutely buying the poster.
Amazing and inspirational! I
Wonderful Quote Gav!! and I love your illustrations!! Thanks a lot. He really was the Greatest Indian that lived!
ergen psikologu
Years ago I “dobbed in” a new age magazine for including the bogus version in one of their issues. I did research and sent the details off to the author’s estate. They sent me a copy of the poem in thanks, which I still treasure.?
You and work are inspiring idealistic and beautiful . Thank you for your work .
Alas, I wish to interrupt the praise-fest here. I love your work in general, and the art here is fantastic as always, but I am not so wild about a meditation on peaceful living getting interrupted by Kung-Fu Superhero Decloaking and kicking ass.
Are we to understand that this urban-looking market has no professional guards, or other means of dealing with rowdies?
I just wrote this poem down and pinned it to my wall. This website is probably the best thing I’ve discovered in months… Thank you so much Gav!!!
I’m from Ghana and I love your work so much, came across your website two years ago and its given me so much inspiration. Absolutely love it. You’re really amazing Gav.
the put words into action/drawings, by way of a story, needs powerful imagination and true life experience. Keep it up!
To put ideas into drawings with a story and moral need powerful imagination and true experience. Keep it up
Your creation is awesome
Please make a full length print available.
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Your comic is very great. I like the storyline. It’s not just a story, but also the principles of life.
Thanks for your comic!!!
It’s really good!!
Very inspirationg comic, i cant wait to find the one who will be my master!
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THanks for this comic.
like it.
Ack, that was bowdlerized and I can’t delete it! Here is the real parody.
—–
“Deteriorata” – National Lampoon
You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here.
Deteriorata. Deteriorata.
Go placidly amid the noise and waste,
And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself,
And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss, and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment,
and despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.
Remember The Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate.
Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
Especially with those persons closest to you –
That lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love therefore. It will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan.
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Ken.
Take heart in the bedeepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot,
It could only be worse in Milwaukee.
You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.
Therefore, make peace with your god,
Whatever you perceive him to be – hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal,
The world continues to deteriorate.
Give up!
This is too damn funny! I love the original poem dearly, but this one deserves its own place on my wall. Thanks for sharing this.
Very pleased to see this done by Zen pencils, and that it’s the correct and attributed version.
Some years ago (last century) I came across the “other version”, the incorrect one. You can always tell that one because instead of the line “Be Cheerful” it says “”Be Careful” and has other errors as well. Anyway, the incorrect version was printed as a poster in a new age magazine, and I knew it was wrong as I had just read the original in a collection of poetry . What upset me the most was that the incorrect version never attributes Ehrmann as the author.
I sent the poster and details of the magazine to the publisher of that collection. They eventually passed it on to Ehrmann’s estate and later, unexpectedly, I received in the mail a printed book of the poem with a thanks from his widow!
Awesome comic !
Thank you Gavin for your “MAX EHRMANN: Desiderata” comic post
http://vuelosdelalma.blogspot.com/2013/11/kampung-inggris-pare-kediri.html
Wow, Gav! That was great! I have always enjoyed this poem and have it pinned to my wall at work.
Nicely done!
awesome comic 😀
Beautiful poem and beautiful comic.
waiting for your comic on ” Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night “. I heard it in Interstellar and am fascinated by Caine’s oration.
In Love with This Comic, this is one of the best comic out there. I Must Say.
I Like It. this comic is so sweet. Congratulation and keep creating more comics with the inspirations.
a very inspirational comic. there is a deep humanitarian value
It is so so good. It filled me with a fresh, a more optimistic feeling. I am a child of universe.
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