Life lived is a little like this. Life not lived is a little like this. They are times of contemplation before the winter fires looking forward to Christmas.
Old one
with the gray hair
falling out around you,
the streams of sand
flowing up,
no matter the direction,
grits of hopes,
successes, failures,
the times you did your best,
the times you did your worst,
too late, too late
the backward look,
only the upward trudge
with the power
to make it a skip,
a struggle, a toil, a reward,
a sorrow, a joy,
the loss, the gain,
uphill the past,
uphill the future,
uphill the diverging paths,
the only moves
require your efforts,
require your acceptance,
never forced by Dominion,
the streams become rivers,
always inside you,
always your decision
to swim or sink
in the drifts and currents of life,
there all along,
the eddying, encompassing sands,
how hard and fast the charge
of freedom of choice.
God reaches out His hand,
but you must take it.
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Reviews of "Sand River"
Reviewed by Rafika Anderson (Reader)
Reviewed on December 7, 2010
Thanks for sharing this comforting, illuminating and encouraging piece. The gentle pace and thoughtful points made in each line were engaging and provocative.
Really lovely, Jerry. This one just seemed to go straight through my heart. Love the last line especially. Definitely one of your best. As I was reading, I saw that old man sitting beside the fire, thinking his thoughts, and it occurred to me this might be one to expand into a story. Ya think?
This is an excellent poem, Jerry. I am so glad to not have missed this one, and I will save it to my library for sure. It had the feel of Christina Rossetti's poetry and "A River runs through it" by McLean at the same time, which is an interesting, talented mix of an original you.
GOD REACHES OUT HIS HAND...EACH AND EVERY DAY...AND EXHAUSTED...WE GLADLY TAKE IT. THIS IS A STRONG, WELL DONE WORK. IT'S IMAGERY IS DETAILED AND PROVOKING...MAKES ONE THINK. ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING AND BLESSINGS. JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
This really struck me today... I have been watching my dear friends in Haiti suffer as they deal with their young 2.5 year old son's kidnapping on Sunday. I know that if I were in their shoes I would feel as though I was sinking deep in the depths of a strong river's current...being pulled away from everything I thought was safe. And yet... my friend remains stalwart, resolute, and calm...asking first how my daughter Ahna is doing with her many current health issues before addressing my questions of how he and his family are coping. He is a man who reaches out his hand to God and takes His hand and walks on, unfettered by the drifts and currents and blowing sands of life. He knows that there is nothing that can't be overcome with God's help. His faith brings me courage to face my own trials in life, for he lives his faith...
Jerry -Enjoyed your poem and admired its theme. Freewill requires the effort of choice. It reminded me of a joke I heard about Katrina. A boat stops to help a man stranded on the roof of his house, but he says that the Lord will save him. Another boat comes along, but he refuses again, saying that the Lord will save him. Finally as the house is sinking lower in the water, a helicopter hovers above as a rescuer is lowered to the roof. Again the man refuses, saying, "I have faith that the Lord will save me." After he drowns and is standing in front of St. Peter, he asks St. Peter why God didn't save him. St. Peter replied, " Well, he sent two boats and a helicopter. What else did you expect."
Surfboarding at the moment, hanging on to dear life, lightening struck the beam and viola deep fried, even before I got to hell, what else is there to tell, I guess your river was a safer bet should have taken it instead. Love your work as always Jerry!
Jasmin Horst
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on December 8, 2009
Beautiful writing, perfect message. Free will, indeed the Omni-Will, made manifest in every fathomable expression - you, me, everyone and everything...each of us the sum of the choices we make.
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
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Cryssa
Anyway, enjoyed the poem. - David
You capture our condition well in these short, crisp, poignant lines; the way we are, things as they are.
John
Jasmin Horst
Regis