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22 Strickland Gillilan Poems
Be inspired by these poems about life written by Strickland Gillilan. He was born on September 21, 1869, and died in 1954. He was an American poet, journalist, and humorist. His poems have encouraged and inspired readers for generations.
His work has been published by many including the Saturday Evening Post. He wrote many poems, but he also wrote short stories, songs, and novels.
Updated June 30, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Famous Poems by Strickland Gillilan:
Walking On The Wall
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
My wee one walked the narrow wall
What child but hungers thus to go?
Her eyes alert lest she might fall
On that rough-bouldered pave below.
At length she stopped, and thus her plea
As though o'erfull of care her cup:
"Please, Daddy, hold my hand for me
So when I walk I can look up."
All-Father, when we walk the ways
That teem with pitfalls for our feet,
That baby plea of bygone days
Might in our sorest need be meet.
Tired out with watchfulness and care,
With strife for paltry bite and sup,
"Thou hold our hands," we make our prayer,
"That while we walk we may look up."
Remember and Believe
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
Remember now that other darkest hour
When you were ready to cry quits with life?
Your last defeat had shorn you of your power;
No more you'd be a "hero in the strife."
Now that the dark has come to you again,
Remember: All life's best has come since then!
Remember when no single ray of hope
Came to you through the gloom of baffledness?
Remember how you could not even grope
Through that thick murk of piteous distress?
How can remembering but help you, when
Your finest triumphs all have come since then?
Remember well, and you can mock Despair;
Remember well, and you can only smile;
Remember well, and you can flout at Care;
Remember; shorten Sorrow's little while.
Remember well and you can never grieve;
Remember, and you only can believe!
A Worry Antidote
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
Petty worry, here's a chair - come in and sit.
Note my momentary absence; pardon it.
There's a potent bit of knowledge hid somewhere
That can cope with you and rid me of your care.
Through the knothole known as ignorance you came -
It is I and I alone must bear the blame.
Yet there somewhere is a fact you can't resist -
I shall find it, and its help I shall enlist.
Or if, seeking out the knowledge that you fear,
I should find it not, though seeking far and near,
There's a sure and strong protector that I know
Who will come and give one look - and out you'll go.
This protector who will change you to a wraith
Is my never-failing friend whose name is Faith.
Summoned always when Sir Knowledge can't be found,
Faith will come, and then I dare you linger round!
Smile at the Children
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
When a baby smiles at you, smile right back again;
If he look askance at you, smile your sweetest then.
He has come into a world big and strange and new.
He must learn what sort of world - learn from such as you.
You have been upon the road quite a little while!
He will judge if life is good, by your frown or smile.
When a child looks up at you, smile into his eyes.
He has all of life ahead - life that sternly tries
All the courage he can find, buy or beg or borrow!
Smile to show this new earth-guest not all life is sorrow
.
You have seen, as well he knows, more of life than he-
Smile and let him understand life holds jollity.
When a child's eyes search your face, as all child-eyes do,
Looking for the net effect life has had on you,
Let him see a smile of hope - smile of cheerfulness;
Smile that shows him you have found more than bleak distress.
You, who know the road, assure every girl and boy
That the grown-ups' world contains heaps and heaps of joy.
A Hope Song
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
The clouds were red when the dawn came up
Were red with a glint of copper sheen.
The chalice of morn was a glittering cup
And the world was gay in the dewy green.
But the sun rose high and the clouds grew gray
With only a softened silver glow.
And the world looked old and far from gay,
But burdened instead with a weight of woe.
Yet at night when the sun goes down again
In the ruddy west, we shall see once more
The gold and the glitter past tongue or pen,
Shall see the red of the dawn and more!
Our lives and our days are alike in this:
Both have their glorious morns, then come
The gray and the grime that we may not miss,
Till hope shines forth in the evening's gloam.
Doing Kindly Things
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
See where Boy left the engine of his train,
A stumbling block to bring somebody pain.
I know he should be disciplined, and still
This time I shall not chide. Next time I will!
From out the way the hindering things I shove
Doing a kindly deed for one I love.
The little girl has strewn her paper dolls
Where Mother's watchful eye most sternly falls.
I start to call the child, to put away
The rubbish; then I hear her at her play,
And sigh and put in place her treasures trove
Doing a kindly thing for one I love.
'Tis Mother's work — this "picking up the room"
To make all ready for the mop and broom.
But she is busied in the garden close
In loving care of bergamot and rose.
So gladly I attack the chaos of
The room — a kindly deed for one I love.
A board with bristling nails that yearn to hurt
Soft baby feet with canvas shoon begirt
Such things our parent eyes and parent hands
See and remove, to sate our love's demands.
There is no joy this simple joy above
Just doing kindly things for those we love.
No Place For Fear
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
Most every day brings some grave situation,
Not to be feared, but faced.
Alternatives offer, in state and in nation,
Not to be feared, but faced.
Dilemmas confront us each hour of the day,
Presenting both right and erroneous way.
These quandaries shouldn't depress us; for they
Aren't to be feared, but faced.
Each day of our life brings a problem or two,
Not to be feared, but solved.
We've off with the old one, let's on with the new -
Not to be feared, but solved.
The puzzle involving the right and the wrong;
The question how not to be weak, but be strong;
These "sums" in life's school-day come bobbing along,
Not to be feared, but solved.
Each day in the field there arises a foe,
Not to be feared, but fought.
He's not to be dodged or avoided, you know -
Not to be feared, but fought.
There's nothing on earth unmistakably right
That we may maintain without strenuous fight.
Intrenched we find always iniquitous might -
Not to be feared, but fought.
After School
Poet: Strickland Gillilan
When home from school's long day he drifts
And to my gaze his fresh face lifts.
I read the tale of all the joys
And sorrows that are every boy's -
I knew them once. I feel them yet,
Through later living's deeper fret.
But still I hold him close, and say
"Son, tell me all about your day."
He tells me - whimpering o'er each grief,
And laughing next in swift relief:
The big, bad boy who hid his hat;
The girl who slipped from where she sat,
To meet with Teacher's well-earned frown;
And how the littlest boy fell down!
I list - not that I do not know,
But only that I love him so.
When, at life's troublous school day's close,
Each world-worn pupil homeward goes,
Straight to the Father's eyes we'll raise
Our own, prepared for blame or praise.
He'll slip an arm around, and say:
"Child, tell me all about your day."
Not that Our Father does not know,
But only that He loves us so.
More Poems by Strickland Gillilan
Continue enjoying Strickland Gillilan's thoughtful writing with these additional poems that offer wisdom, encouragement, and gentle reminders for everyday living.
- Keep Sweet – Read a poem that encourages us to keep a kind heart, a gentle spirit, and a cheerful attitude no matter what life brings.
- As I Go On My Way – Be inspired by a poem that reminds us our words and actions can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
- We Can Always Learn – Reflect on a poem that encourages us to keep learning and growing throughout every stage of life.
- The Greatest Gift – Discover a thoughtful poem that reminds us the greatest gifts in life cannot be measured by money.
- When I Am Wrong – Read a poem that reminds us there is strength in admitting our mistakes and learning from them.
- A Middle-Age Reflection – Reflect on the lessons, blessings, and experiences that come with life's journey.
- Something Sweet To Remember – Enjoy a poem that reminds us to leave others with kind words and happy memories.
- Put To The Test – Read encouraging verses that show how life's challenges help build strength and character.
- The Book For All Time – Enjoy a poem that celebrates the lasting wisdom, comfort, and enjoyment that books bring.
- Forgive Me Poems – Read poems that remind us forgiveness, humility, and sincere apologies can strengthen relationships.
- The Keenest Pleasure – Be encouraged by a poem that reminds us one of life's greatest pleasures is helping and caring for others.
- Face The Sunshine – Read an uplifting poem that encourages us to focus on hope, joy, and the brighter side of life.
- Rich – Reflect on a poem that reminds us true riches are found in love, friendships, and life's simple blessings.
Popular Pages
If you enjoyed Strickland Gillilan's poetry, you may also like these popular collections that encourage, inspire, and bring a smile.
Discover our Poems About School, celebrating learning, teachers, students, and the lessons that shape our lives.
Find comfort and inspiration in our collection of Christian Poems, filled with faith, hope, and encouragement.
Read our Smile Poems that remind us how a simple smile can brighten both our own day and someone else's.
Browse our Poems of Encouragement for uplifting words that help you face each day with renewed confidence.
Conclusion
Strickland Gillilan had a wonderful ability to express life's lessons with warmth, wisdom, and hope. Whether he wrote about faith, kindness, family, or everyday living, his poems continue to encourage readers to look up, help others, and appreciate the blessings found in each day.
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