If you haven’t already, memorize a poem.

Know it well. Love it. Be able to share it.

Why? Because our culture is better when we value the beauty of poetry enough to commit it to memory.

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Actor John Lithgow can recite The Deacon’s Masterpiece, or The Wonderful One-hoss Shay, a colorful, riveting poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes. Lithgow was introduced to the piece by his grandmother, who could also tell it by heart.

Are there words that are dear to you? Enough to commit them to memory?

Once they’re with you, they’ll be with you forever.

Perhaps there are a few lines worthy of that effort.