Little Things: A Poem

Oh humble flower on the way,

You'll not see day again;

My careless tread hath brought thou low,

I've crushed thee; what a sin!

Your life was short enough before,

But now-barely in bloom!

My heedlessness hath crushed thou life!

I brought your death too soon!

But for my clumsy, stomping boot,

You might have lived 'til fall;

Now all the vibrant, color'd leaves

You will not see at all.

How oft, by thoughtless word or deed,

We tread on little things!

Or stomp upon a seed of hope

To which a brother clings!

Our tongues too oft fly loosely,

And sometimes we forget

that nothing is too small to God,

Nor insignificant.

Too wrapped up in our own concerns,

How frequently we smite

The little things upon our way

That pride veils from our sight.

Comments

Economics of Easter: Egg Hunting, Fiscal Policy and Lessons for Life

By Timothy Verrinder To understand the complex world around us, it is helpful to simply imagine everyone as children. Somehow, the thought of a boardroom of children in suits and dress skirts with pen, paper, phones and coffee cups makes the content of any business meeting seem more accessible. The courtroom with a seven-year-old on trial before a pudgy, bespectacled and robed judge and a jury of his “peers” might be another example. Even in politics, where it’s not so much a stretch of one’s imagination to view everyone as children, it is a helpful exercise not just in reducing the complexity of things, but also the intimidation factor which accompanies complexity. Little Mr. Stevens standing on a stool to write on the whiteboard doesn’t quite evoke the intrigue and competition associated with corporate life. The lawyer’s powers of persuasion and legal acumen are rendered laughable as soon as little Ms. Sanchez says “ladies and gentlemen of the jury.” As for politics, well, much ...

Summer Market in Chowchilla - Book Signing and Sale!

I will be selling and signing copies of my book, Sketches of a Small Life , at the summer market in Chowchilla, California, on Friday evenings, 6-8:30pm, June 16, 23, and 30. Stick around for Music in the Park (starting at 8pm)! All events are free and open to the public. Location: Veteran's Memorial Park, 600 W. Robertson Boulevard, Chowchilla, CA 93610 Link to City of Chowchilla event page: https://www.cityofchowchilla.org/339/Summer-Event-Series

The Family - A Sestina

All together and laughing, the family Fills the long, low house on the farm; They gather naturally to drink coffee, To rein in the years and make them stand still. In his armchair, an old man smiles And shakes his white head at the children. Squirming with impatience, the children Play on the floor while the family Stands with hands in pockets and smiles And discusses a new tractor for the farm, While someone asks if the old one works still And someone starts a fresh pot of coffee. The sound of beans grinding and the coffee Dripping, drowns the sound of the children Who must take loud games outside, or be still. One sister starts dinner for the family and listens to the talk of the farm. They ask how school’s going and she smiles. Mom watches from a corner and smiles; She laughs at the jokes and makes more coffee And watches the sun set over the farm, Her kind eyes falling on the playing children. Dad kisses her chee...

R.H. blog

Search This Blog