|
One morning I was in the park,
Just as the sun was rising,
Few people then were up and out,
Which, of course, was not surprising.
I liked being there alone,
Although let me qualify,
I really wasn't by myself,
It was my God and I.
I was talking up a blue streak,
As I told God all my plans,
I also did not hesitate,
To make some prayer demands.
A Glorious God! A Glorious Day!
And, oh, how glorious felt I!
I was content and happy,
I was so satisfied!
I mused a bit about myself,
Yes, I think I've done things right,
I go to church most Sundays,
And often Wednesday nights.
I tithe with regularity,
Support causes I think just,
Buy Girl Scout cookies at my door,
And other things I must.
I like to hear the clink, clink, clink,
Of coins against metal,
When at Christmas time I drop some in,
A Salvation Army kettle.
I write a good check every year,
To The Cancer Institute,
And I make an annual payment,
For Easter Seals, to boot.
I pack up the old clothes,
That I no longer wear,
There is this truck that picks them up,
Delivers them to Welfare.
I felt so good about myself,
I felt righteous; I felt proud,
I could always walk in public,
With my head above the crowd.
With that, I straightened up my shoulders,
Thinking, yes, I've done a lot,
God must surely love me now,
For sharing what I've got.
I think I've earned a place in heaven,
Where I'll spend eternity,
I felt very comfortable,
And I walked on happily.
Then I looked up and spotted,
A lovely bluebird in the sky,
A harbinger of happiness,
A divine sign from up on high.
I watched it circling in the air,
It seemed to stay with me,
My own Bluebird of Happiness,
Such a joyful sight to see.
Then, suddenly it stopped,
And hovered in the air,
I had no cover for my head,
It sent a missile to my hair!
Now, do
not laugh at my distress,
At the lesson of the bluebird,
I got my due comeuppance,
I felt humbled and absurd.
God can't abide man's foolish pride,
That is the moral of my tale,
Self-righteousness is not of God,
And homes in heaven aren't for sale.
Author:
Virginia Ellis
Other City Nest Poems and Branches of
Wren's World
|