Nourishing A Seed Planted Long Ago

I’m no poet, but I woke with this thought
It has grown from a seed I found and planted long ago
And nourished May 6
When I found again a statement Gandhi made
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

Michael Jackson sang of “The Man In The Mirror”
Others have discovered this thought’s beauty too
I’m one soul, walking through life,
Trying as I can to
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

Your children jump on the couch
Growl when you ask the simplest task
Or worse, shut you out entirely
Patiently, with long suffering
Show them by your deeds your love
And what you would have them be
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

People in need are everywhere
You see meager help and
Wish for a government that would fix all ills
Pick up a shovel
Share a warm meal
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

You see trash on the ground, in the water, in the air,
You see it on television, on computers, and everywhere you go
You see strange chemicals in your food and in your drink
You long for a clean, natural world
You want right to be right and wrong to be wrong
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

You never know how far and wide your soft, warm example
Will bless others and influence them to make the change you yearn for
Years later when you learn of a single soul who did
How great will be your joy!
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

Aesop compared the power of the wind and the sun
Both tried to change a man
Get him to remove his coat
The wind tried with brute force
The man resisted with might
The sun calmly shined in warmth
The man gladly made the change
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”