Indispensable man
Sometimes when you think you’re important
Sometimes when you’re in bloom -
Sometimes when you take it for granted
That you’re the most qualified in the room
Sometimes when you think that your leaving
Will leave an unfillable hole.-
Just take this simple example
And see how it humbles your soul
Take a bucket and fill it with water
Put your hand in up to the wrist -
Take it out and the hole that’s remaining
Is the measure of how you’ll be missed
You may splash all you wish as you enter
You may stir up the water galore -
But just wait for only one minute
And you will find it’s the same as before
Now the moral to this little story
Is to do the best you that can -
Be proud of yourself but remember
There’s no indispensable man !
Sister
There’s a bond
with a sister
that’s one of a kind,
It’s a blend of devotion
and friendship combined —
When the sister’s
as special as you.
It’s the comfort of knowing
that somebody’s there
To show understanding,
to help and to care —
It’s a closeness in all that you do...
It’s the sharing of memories
to treasure together,
It’s a bond that is one
of the most loving ever —
When the sister’s as special as you.
My poem collection
"The tears of the poet fill the pen."
27th December 2005
LIKE A RIVER
You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel, that must follow where it goes.
Trying to learn from what's behind you, and never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.
Too many times we stand aside, and let the waters slip away,
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today.
So, don't just sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied.
Choose to chance the rapids, and dare to dance the tide.
There's bound to be rough waters and I know I'll take some falls.
But, with the Good Lord as my captain I can make it through them all.
I will sail my vessel 'til the river all run dry.
Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.
I'll never reach my destination if I never try.
I'D RATHER SEE A SERMON
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day
I'd rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear
Fine council is confusing but examples always clear.
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live the creeds
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it, if you'll let me see it done
I can watch your hand in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true
But I'd rather get my lecture by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am anxious to be kind
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind.
Just to see if he can help him then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
All travellers can witness that the best of guides today
Are not the ones that tell them, but the ones that show the way.
One good man impresses many, they believe what they behold.
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
He who stands with men of honour learns to hold his honour dear,
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear
And though an able speaker charms with his eloquence,
I say I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
Your Mission
If you cannot, on the ocean, sail among the swiftest fleet
Rocking on the highest billows, laughing at the storms you meet.
You can stand among the sailors, anchored yet within the bay
You can lend a hand to help them, as they launch their boats away.
If you are too weak to journey up the mountain steep and high,
You can stand within the valley while the multitudes go by.
You can chant in happy measure as they slowly pass along,
Though they may forget the singer, they will not forget the song.
If you have not gold and silver ever ready to command;
If you cannot toward the needy reach an ever open hand;
You can visit the afflicted, o’er the erring you can weep;
You can be a true disciple, sitting at the Saviour's feet.
If you cannot, in the conflict prove yourself a soldier true,
If, where fire and smoke are thickest, there’s no work for you to do;
When the battlefield is silent you can go with careful tread,
You can bear away the wounded, you can cover up the dead.
If you cannot, in the harvest, gather up the richest sheaves,
Many a grain both ripe and golden of the careless reaper leaves.
Go and glean among the briars growing rank against the wall,
For it may be that their shadow hides the heaviest wheat of all.
Do not, then, stand idly waiting, for some greater work to do;
Fortune is a lazy goddess, she will never come to you.
Go and toil in any vineyard, do not fear to do or dare,
If you want a field of labour, you can find it anywhere
Early Scenes
Early scenes how sweet their memory,
Where in childhood we have played-
Craggy steep and rugged mountain,
Fairy glen, and peaceful glade.
Early scenes,the gushing fountain
And the cottage in the ale,-
Flow'rs a sister's hands have planted,
Breathing odors to the gale.
Early scenes,the weeping willow,
Aged elm, and tow'ring pine-
Study oak, and creeping ivy
Where the woodbine loves to twine.
Early scenes,the village school house,
Oh! that old familiar spot-
Wakes a thousand tender feelings,-
Which can never be forgot.
Early scenes,the village church-yard,
Where the friends we love repose,--
There the lonely star of midnight,
Silently its lustre throws.
Early scenes,how oft remembered
When in distant lands we roam-
How the stranger's heaving bosom
Sighs to view his boyhood home!
Fanny Crosby
Lend a hand
Lend a hand to one another in the daily toil of life
When we meet a weaker brother let us help him in the strife -
There is none so rich but may in his turn be forced to borrow
And the poor man's lot today may become our own tomorrow.
Lend a hand to one another - when malicious tongues have thrown
Dark suspicion on your brother, be not prompt to throw a stone -
There is none so good but may run adrift in shame and sorrow
And the good man of today may become the bad tomorrow.
Lend a hand to one another in the race for Honour's crown
Should it fall upon your brother let not envy tear it down -
Lend a hand to all we pray for in their sunshine or their sorrow
And the prize they've won today may become our own tomorrow.
By William McGuffey
29th April 2009
