There is no road, though rough and steep,
Without an end at last,
And every rock upon the way
By patience can be passed.
There are few human hearts too hard
For gentleness to win;
Somewhere a hidden chink appears
Where love may enter in.
Thankful Rest (1881) | Annie S. Swan (1859–1943)
Suggestions
Ask your students to do one or more of the following:
- Poems beg to be read aloud. Be sure not to pause at every line, but only pause at the punctuation.
- What is the rhyme scheme? (ABCB)
- The first stanza of the poem uses metaphor to explain a concept. What concept is it illustrating?
- What is a chink? When we speak of a “chink in one’s armor” we are using an idiom. Explain what the idiom means?
- Explain the meaning of the poem.
- Learn how to “love the unlovable.”
- What role does patience play in dealing with a “hard” case?
- Compare the poem to Ezekiel 36:26.
- Write a character study of someone fitting the description in the poem.
- This theme is frequently used in literature. Find an example. (If you have trouble with this, think Little Lord Fauntleroy or A Christmas Carol.)
Additional Resources
A Copybook of Love ~ Freebie
Free 21-page download find called A Copybook of Love featuring passages from 1 John 4:7-21.
22 Ways to Love, Do & Think Every Day
Practice the principle!
Where Love is There God is Also by Leo Tolstoy
Exemplifying “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren….” Illustrating the concept for older students. (PDF)
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Poetry
Ideas for doing more with the poem.
