Who Are We To Judge

Two people sitting in the park…for a moment their lives are linking..

Let’s take a listen inside their heads…and see what each is thinking.

She dresses in clothes that are different from mine.

She comes from another land.

She worships a different God than me.

She speaks a language I don’t understand.

I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel.

I’m not sure what to do.

Because a small portion of the people I know hate her

and I’m told to hate her too.

If they would only talk to one another…they’d have a lot to say

They both believe in a God (though different ones), in a holy book and a judgement day.

They both believe in prophets, in angels and honesty…

in forgiveness, patience, truthfulness…in goodness and humility.

They believe in being kind to others…in unselfishness and sincerity…

in courage, in moderation, and above all…in family

If they had talked to one another…if this information they had sought…

perhaps they would have realized…they have more in common than they thought.

When we prejudge a person.  When we are too quick to dismiss...

How quickly our initial prejudgement…turns into prejudice.

When we denounce another person.

When we have presumed...then condescended...

I have to ask no matter what religion you practice

Is this what your God intended?

A CHILD'S TOY

It’s selected off the store shelf.

It brings security and joy.

It takes its place among the family…

when it becomes a child’s toy.

And immediately they both feel it…

a bond of happiness…and joy.

And for a while they’re inseparable…

the child…and the toy.

But a child grows up…a toy does not,

and though it seems unkind,

a child finds other things to love,

and leaves the toy behind.

But the toy is ever vigilant,

it waits patiently night and day,

for one more moment with the child…

one more chance to play.

And every now and then the toy is picked up,

“I miss you!” the child concedes.

and the toy once again feels joy…

for that’s all it ever needs.

And so I wonder:

When we want to learn of patience,

of dedication, love and joy…

perhaps we need to look no further 

than on the face of a child’s toy.

DON'T BE AFRAID

He said, “My father offered me two pieces of advice

that have worked my whole life through,

and now that you are old enough

I offer them to you”:

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

for no matter how often you’re burned,

don’t think of it as a mistake…

think of it…as a chance to learn.

Think of it as an opportunity

rising from a momentary shame.

Besides, if you never make a single mistake…

how often would you hear your name.

And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

It means your conscientious…your concerned.

It’s does not show your weakness…

It shows your willingness to learn.

If you are confused or befuddled in life,

if it’s knowledge that you lack…

Who better to ask about the road ahead…

than those who are coming back.

And I listened to my father’s words…

For in the countless mistakes I’ve made…

and in all the times I’ve asked for help…

I have never been afraid.

A LITTLE DROP

A beach cannot be created 

without each single grain of sand.

Without each single speck of dirt

we’d have no place to stand.

The oceans, seas and rivers wouldn’t be possible 

without each single drop of rain.

We could not breathe without each drop of air, 

could not eat without each grain…

A book cannot be written

without the letters to form words…

Without the individual musical notes

no song would ever be heard…

And so I wonder…

If for a drop, a speck, a grain or a note

this happens to be true…

imagine what one drop of kindness

has the capacity to do.

A BOOK

A book is just a book unless it’s opened…

’til then we know not on what adventure it will take us.

Will it make us laugh…

or cry…

or shudder with emotion?

Will it reach deep into our souls…

Will it awake us?

There is one truth about a book that I can offer,

one certainty…

one fact to be proposed:

a book has no capability to stir our imagination…

no power to inspire…

when it is closed.

A mind is just a mind unless it’s opened…

‘till then we know not on what adventure it will take us.

Will it show us how to love

to hope…

to dream?

Will it reach into our heart and soul,

and make them gleam.

There is one truth about a mind that I can offer,

one certainty…one fact to be proposed… 

a mind has no capability for compassion

no power to inspire…

when it is closed.

Giving

If you give love…you’ll receive it…

the same with kindness, compassion and time.

The more you give, the more you receive…

It’s a simple paradigm.

And if you give hate…you’ll receive it…

for this is also true,

as everything you give away…

will be returned to you.

Which makes me wonder….

if the key to knowing how to live

is not only in the giving…

but knowing what to give.

Shakespeare In The Park

When one doth perchance to partake of Shakespeare in the park

verily he feels himself a rogue…alone…amiss

For ‘tho he hath found himself truly nourish’d by the play…

He is loathe to discover his calamity…

to speak like this.

He mayeth stop at yonder McDonalds on his journey home…

his desire: to order a quaff to quench his thirst

and fie, fie drive away with nothing but his scorn

when the stewed prune behind the counter thinks him accursed.

He, may, perchance, bite his thumb at thee

or call thee a most notable coward…a lowly philistine

He may say, “away you dried neat’s tongue…you three-inch fool”

Forsooth…without knowing what the words he spoke doth mean.

Pray, pardon he, if consum’d he be

to playeth his sweet Alexa ’til the break of dawn,

crying out in discordant harmony…

if music be the food of love

play on…

forsooth play on.

And when he finally retires for the e’en…

ready to woo so into his bed he leaps…

he behold’st the object of his affection,

his fair maiden…

the one he woos…

hath fallen fast asleep!

Fear not, when thy spy yonder person under such a spell!

Strain not the quality of thy mercy..but hark!

Alas, do not think him vile or mad…again fear not…

he is but a knave…

who forgot to leave his Shakespeare in the park.