Nil Desperandum

Assail your despair, fellow, waste not your time,
Busy your heads with worthy, lofty aims of life,
Be fierce as you face tempests, trials, tribulations,
Embrace the wretched, dare lessen their afflictions.

Peek at daily news, tons of calamities in view!
Is your suffering less severe? Undoubtedly few?
Evade your sorrows, think of easing their plight,
Remind yourself you owe them an example of might,
Resolve to aid the helpless ’til their faces turn bright,
Empathize with the hopeless, see them beam in delight.

A mnemonic for Abbé Pierre who said “When they are assailed by despair, young people should let universal concerns into their lives.”