"The Vigil" by John Pettie ‘The Power of One’: A Poem by Roy E. Peterson The Society May 15, 2023 Beauty, Poetry 25 Comments . The Power of One You think that you’re alone. There’s nothing to be done. But I say, “You have strength. It is the Power of One.” You may have had ideas That you have told to someone. They may have laughed and scorned you. They don’t know the Power of One. One candle lights the darkness It’s seen a mile away. Become that light to others. You only have to pray. One acorn can start a forest. One smile can gain a friend. One hand can light a fire. One idea can start a trend. One lighthouse on a seacoast Can save a ship at sea. One truth that’s told to others Can set a people free. One word can give some hope. One touch can show you care. One action starts an era. One voice can warn, “Beware.” One prayer can save a lost soul, One sunbeam fill a room. One Bible verse recited Can chase away the gloom. Your life can make a difference. One battle and victory won. Take courage earthly traveler, You have the Power of One. . . LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 5,000 poems in 78 of his 101 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 25 Responses Petlwane Molotsi May 15, 2023 Thanks for the pick me up … Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 I appreciate your kind words! Thank you! Reply Paddy Raghunathan May 15, 2023 Simple, yet very inspiring. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Thank you Paddy! I have found simple sometimes transmits an idea better. Reply Margaret Coats May 15, 2023 A simple idea, Roy, magnificently amplified. You create a powerful form for it by varying the means of repeating the word “one.” First there are two stanzas where it is a rhyme word, then a stanza where it simply begins the quatrain. That third stanza makes the crucial point that among all the things “one” can do, one prayer is the most important. Then four stanzas where “one” begins either a line, or a two-line sentence. For the final stanza, you combine usages: rhyme word, beginning of a line, and repetition of the title–for a victoriously powerful conclusion! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Margaret, what a prescient and wonderful analysis! I am amazed and gratified that you took the time to dissect and point out the use of the word, “one,” and then explicate how you perceived and felt about it. I thank you for such a great comment about “victoriously powerful conclusion!” You are the best! I trust you had a great Mother’s Day. Reply Phil S. Rogers May 15, 2023 The more times I read your poem, the more meaningful and powerful it becomes. “One truth that’s told to others can set a people free.” So true. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Phil, I thank you for your precious comment and telling me what you liked best. You also provided something I value and specifically relate to and that is reading it more than once. That gave me a special fuzzy feeling. Reply Norma Pain May 15, 2023 ‘The Power of One” is a very simple yet powerful poem that I don’t doubt will give hope to many. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Wonderful comment, Norma! Poet in particular have that capability! Reply Paul Freeman May 15, 2023 Great stuff, Roy. It can be lonely, though. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Thank you, Paul! I think it helps I was an only child. Reply Russel Winick May 15, 2023 I love the positivity Roy. Great job! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Thank you, Russel! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant May 15, 2023 In an increasingly insane world where many feel lost and alone, ‘The Power of One’ has a message that is particularly powerful – a beam of sunshine in the shadowy abyss of hopelessness. Thank you for lifting up spirits, Roy! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 16, 2023 Precious comments, Susan! I almost added another verse on poets standing steadfast and alone, but deleted it so that the focus was on all those who stand up for themselves and for values that are meaningful. This world needs them and us! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant May 18, 2023 Roy, I am most intrigued by the deleted verse… perhaps it would work well as the first stanza of a new poem… I hope you’ve filed it away for later. I learned a while back, never to permanently delete lines with potential for future poems, and I look forward to reading yours. Mia May 16, 2023 Thank you for a really lovely poem that has reminded me of the power of being at one with God; then we can never really be alone. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 16, 2023 Mia, I heartily concur! We may be alone in the world, but have the Holy Spirit, so we are never really alone! Reply James Sale May 16, 2023 Very uplifting Roy and well executed: anaphora can be very powerful. My favourite lines are: One Bible verse recited Can chase away the gloom – so true in my experience, and millions of others’. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 16, 2023 Wonderful perspective, James. Standing alone in the world is like the old Christian hymn phrase, “Just like a tree planted by the water, Lord, I shall not be moved!” Reply Joshua C. Frank May 18, 2023 Great one (no pun intended)! The last stanza summarizes all the examples well. I’ve found that one poem I write can make a world of difference in someone else’s life (“Poetic Influence” shows two examples), and I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences with your own writing. One person alone can’t change the entire world unless it’s already going in that same direction, but he can start a small movement that gets a ball rolling. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 18, 2023 I greatly appreciate your comments, Joshua! Yes, we can make a difference if we have the fortitude to share it! More usually it is on a micro-scale, but sometimes if can be macro. A lot depends on the sphere of influence, but by dogged determination and will power we can make a difference! Reply Paul Martin Freeman May 20, 2023 Take courage earthly traveler, You have the Power of One. Terrific, Roy! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 22, 2023 Thank you, Paul! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Thank you Paddy! I have found simple sometimes transmits an idea better. Reply
Margaret Coats May 15, 2023 A simple idea, Roy, magnificently amplified. You create a powerful form for it by varying the means of repeating the word “one.” First there are two stanzas where it is a rhyme word, then a stanza where it simply begins the quatrain. That third stanza makes the crucial point that among all the things “one” can do, one prayer is the most important. Then four stanzas where “one” begins either a line, or a two-line sentence. For the final stanza, you combine usages: rhyme word, beginning of a line, and repetition of the title–for a victoriously powerful conclusion! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Margaret, what a prescient and wonderful analysis! I am amazed and gratified that you took the time to dissect and point out the use of the word, “one,” and then explicate how you perceived and felt about it. I thank you for such a great comment about “victoriously powerful conclusion!” You are the best! I trust you had a great Mother’s Day. Reply
Phil S. Rogers May 15, 2023 The more times I read your poem, the more meaningful and powerful it becomes. “One truth that’s told to others can set a people free.” So true. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Phil, I thank you for your precious comment and telling me what you liked best. You also provided something I value and specifically relate to and that is reading it more than once. That gave me a special fuzzy feeling. Reply
Norma Pain May 15, 2023 ‘The Power of One” is a very simple yet powerful poem that I don’t doubt will give hope to many. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 15, 2023 Wonderful comment, Norma! Poet in particular have that capability! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant May 15, 2023 In an increasingly insane world where many feel lost and alone, ‘The Power of One’ has a message that is particularly powerful – a beam of sunshine in the shadowy abyss of hopelessness. Thank you for lifting up spirits, Roy! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 16, 2023 Precious comments, Susan! I almost added another verse on poets standing steadfast and alone, but deleted it so that the focus was on all those who stand up for themselves and for values that are meaningful. This world needs them and us! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant May 18, 2023 Roy, I am most intrigued by the deleted verse… perhaps it would work well as the first stanza of a new poem… I hope you’ve filed it away for later. I learned a while back, never to permanently delete lines with potential for future poems, and I look forward to reading yours.
Mia May 16, 2023 Thank you for a really lovely poem that has reminded me of the power of being at one with God; then we can never really be alone. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 16, 2023 Mia, I heartily concur! We may be alone in the world, but have the Holy Spirit, so we are never really alone! Reply
James Sale May 16, 2023 Very uplifting Roy and well executed: anaphora can be very powerful. My favourite lines are: One Bible verse recited Can chase away the gloom – so true in my experience, and millions of others’. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 16, 2023 Wonderful perspective, James. Standing alone in the world is like the old Christian hymn phrase, “Just like a tree planted by the water, Lord, I shall not be moved!” Reply
Joshua C. Frank May 18, 2023 Great one (no pun intended)! The last stanza summarizes all the examples well. I’ve found that one poem I write can make a world of difference in someone else’s life (“Poetic Influence” shows two examples), and I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences with your own writing. One person alone can’t change the entire world unless it’s already going in that same direction, but he can start a small movement that gets a ball rolling. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 18, 2023 I greatly appreciate your comments, Joshua! Yes, we can make a difference if we have the fortitude to share it! More usually it is on a micro-scale, but sometimes if can be macro. A lot depends on the sphere of influence, but by dogged determination and will power we can make a difference! Reply
Paul Martin Freeman May 20, 2023 Take courage earthly traveler, You have the Power of One. Terrific, Roy! Reply