| When I was much younger, I had no interest in poetry. It bored me before I even started reading it. Poetry, I thought, was a bunch of lofty words that meant next to nothing. Now I know that certain topics of poetry interest me and others are simply not up my alley. I believe this was one of the first poems to catch my interest and make me aware that not all poetry is alike. It is in Step by Step, one of our Pathway Readers. Forgive Me When I Whine. Today upon a bus I saw
A lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her--she seemed so gay--
And oh, I wished I were so fair,
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle;
She had one foot and wore a crutch,
But as she passed, a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two feet--the world is mine. And when I stopped to buy some sweets,
The lad who served me had such charm,
He seemed to radiate good cheer,
His manner was so kind and warm.
I said, "It's nice to deal with you,
Such courtesy I seldom find."
He turned and said, "Oh, thank you, sir!"
And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me whin I whine,
I have two eyes--the world is mine. Then when walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue,
He stood and watched the others play;
It seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word,
And then I knew he could not hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two ears, the world is mine. With feet to take me where I'd go,
With eyes to see the sunset's glow,
With ears to hear what I would know,
I'm blessed indeed; the world is mine;
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. Since then, I discovered a little book of poems that is the best collection of such. I don't have it with me right now. Perhaps another time I will post a bit of it. |
