Life is too Short by Ruth Collie
"Life is too Short," a short lyric poem by Ruth Collie, argues that human existence is too brief to be squandered on regret, resentment, or despair. The poem unfolds in three movements, each opening with the refrain "Life is too short," building a cumulative argument about how time ought to be spent. The first movement addresses the futility of dwelling on past mistakes. The speaker insists that what is done cannot be undone, and that sighing or fretting over blunders accomplishes nothing. Because circumstances can shift as quickly as "before the sun completes another setting," clinging to regret wastes the very change that might already be underway. The remedy offered is practical rather than sentimental: forget past errors and start afresh, since life is too short to spend mourning any single misstep. The second movement turns from regret to resentment, condemning bitterness, hatred, and cynicism. The speaker declares that nothing is gained through venom or despair, and criticizes those who make a virtue of fault-finding—people who dwell on "worms" hidden within an otherwise "fair" blossom rather than appreciating the blossom itself. Goodness, the poem insists, remains real and undiminished no matter how jaundiced or twisted a cynic's perspective may be. This section closes by dismissing dull, habitual care and worry as another unaffordable luxury. The third and final movement pivots from what life is too short for to what it is just long enough for, reframing the poem's argument in positive terms. Here the tone shifts from admonishment to affirmation: life, though brief, is sufficient time for meaningful work pursued with "energy and zest," and for each person to attempt a "helpful, joyous quest." The speaker envisions this quest in modest, relational terms—chiefly the chance to "brighten up a neighbour's sky," suggesting that the highest use of limited time is kindness toward others rather than grand achievement. The poem closes by reiterating its central opposition: life is too short for hatred and for futile sighing, but it is just long enough to learn that love is the best and most worthwhile pursuit available. Structurally, the poem relies on anaphora and antithesis—repeating "too short" against "just long enough"—to enact its own argument formally, using compact, aphoristic lines that mirror the brevity of life it describes. Its progression moves the reader from renunciation (of regret, bitterness, and cynicism) to affirmation (of purposeful work and love), ending on the poem's thesis: that life's proper measure is not its length but how fully love and goodwill are practiced within it.
By Ruth Collie · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational Literature, Philosophical Poetry · 233 words
First lines
Life is too short for sighing and regretting. That which is done, we / cannot now undo. Before the sun completes another setting, Life may / have changed its aspect and its hue. Blunders are never mended by / mere fretting; better to start afresh, mistakes forgetting. Life is / too short a single thing to rue. Life is too short for bitterness / and hating. Nothing is gained by venom and despair. 'Tis not a / virtue to be ever prating that worms abide within the blossom fair. / Goodness, forsooth, is not one whit abating, though Cynics give a / jaundiced, twisted rating. Life is too short to entertain dull care. / Life is just long enough for you and me to do our work with energy / and zest. Just long enough for each of us to try to make of it a / helpful, joyous quest; to brighten up, perchance, a neighbour's sky. / Too short for hate; too short for futile sigh. Just long enough to / learn that Love is best.
What this Textopian page supports
Life is too Short is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ruth Collie, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ruth Collie
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational Literature, Philosophical Poetry, Motivational Writing, Spiritual Poetry
- Length: 233 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Life is too Short by Ruth Collie
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is composed in verse with consistent rhyme schemes, regular meter, and poetic devices characteristic of formal poetry.
- Inspirational Literature — The primary message encourages readers to avoid dwelling on past mistakes and regrets, focusing instead on living with energy and purpose.
- Philosophical Poetry — Explores existential themes about the meaning of life, mortality, and what constitutes a well-lived life, central to philosophical inquiry.
- Motivational Writing — Designed to inspire action and positive thinking, encouraging readers to embrace life with optimism rather than cynicism or despair.
Tags
romance · fiction · love story · relationships · emotional drama · contemporary fiction · women's fiction · personal choices · family dynamics · heartbreak · hope · second chances