Too Soon
It was a big surprise when the angel of death knocked on my door.
I asked, “Are you sure you’ve got the right guy?
Can’t you give me a couple more years?
I’ve got people to see. Things to set straight. There’s so much I still want to do.
If I go on a diet, do push-ups and jog, can I buy a little more time?
Just a few more months to make life complete,
to swim in the ocean, smell some flowers,
visit new places, learn to play tennis,
meet the right person, find the right job,
hug the people I love?
Well then, how ’bout one more day? Or even an hour or two?
What? No, I’m not Jim. My name is Tim. Jim’s in the condo next door.”
I breathed a huge sigh of relief as the angel moved on.
“Poor Jim,” I thought. “Too bad he’s dying so young.”
But it opened my eyes. No more putting things off. It’s full speed ahead with my life!
I’ll make a long list, leave nothing out, include all I’ve been meaning to do.
Then I’ll relax with a nap, watch some TV
and maybe get started next week.
Silly Things
Softly nudging her egg, the mother bird says,
“It’s time to come out. Be happy. Be free. Show us your beauty.”
“No!” says the baby bird. “I can’t come out now.
I’ll come out of my egg after I learn how to fly.”
And we smile as we think, “How silly.”
The warm sun says,
“It’s time to bloom. Be happy. Be free. Show us your beauty.”
“No!” says the bud. “I can’t bloom now.
The red flowers might laugh because my petals are pink.”
And we smile as we think, “How silly.”
As it gently rocks the cocoon, the summer breeze says,
“It’s time to emerge. Be happy. Be free. Show us your beauty.”
“No!” says the butterfly. “Not now. Maybe never.
There’s no place as fine as in here.”
And we smile as we think, “How silly.”
To all of us rushing around, God softly whispers,
“It’s time to slow down. Be happy. Be free. Show us your beauty.”
“No!” most of us say. “Not now. We’re too busy.
We’ll slow down next month or next year.”
And God lovingly smiles as he thinks, “How silly.”
Finding Home
“The morning breeze has secrets to tell you.” – Rumi
She sobbed. “I’m lost and confused. I don’t know where I belong. Please, somebody, help me.”
“Come this way,” beckoned the breeze. “We’ll find your home.”
“But this road is rocky. It hurts my feet.”
“It’s only a little farther. You’ll find the journey is shorter than you think,” said the breeze.
“This doesn’t look like anywhere I’ve ever been. Are you sure it’s the right way?”
“Yes,” said the breeze.
“But I’m tired and I’m hungry.”
“Trust,” said the breeze.
She came to a gate. “Do I open it?” she asked. “Do I go through? What if I don’t belong?”
“It’s time to stop asking and stop doubting,” said the breeze.
“Why?” she asked.
“So you can listen.”
Without her touching it, the gate swung open.
Suddenly, in the stillness, came all the answers she had ever sought.
And in unison, the loving voices of 1,000 winds whispered,
“We’re glad you found us. We hope you’ll stay.”
She said nothing. There was no longer a need to speak.
She had no doubts. She had no fears. She felt only joy.
In her heart, she knew she was finally home.
«VERWANDTES LESEN» POEMS BY RACHEL MILLER: In the Perfect Place and Time and more»
bild: Pixabay
