The Motto Poem by Elma Clark Norwood

It hung upon the schoolhouse wall,
was framed, it's letters fading,
a motto for each one to see,
which didn't need updating. Its message timely e'en today,
not ever out of sync',
as true for present as the past,
would cause the child to think. Each day for years I read its lines
fixed deeply in my mind,
becoming such a part of me—
of that sweet past remind! Still word for word it shouted out
each time I entered there!
When there were times it quietly spoke
I made of it a prayer. So many times it helped to draw
my aspiring mind apart;
yes, all through life its inspiration
stayed engraved upon my heart: "Yesterday is dead—forget it.
Tomorrow has not come—don't worry.
TODAY IS HERE—USE IT!"