Give And Take

Thoughts in position and time in debate;
One fool will follow the other’s mistake.
Instinct and wisdom ‘fore warned me as such,
to be far from reach from their kind of touch.

The values I’ve learned of give and to take
have shown me the friendships I need to forsake.
Or maybe that’s why they come near, then far;
To see who I am and see who they are.

Again they try blindly a flight close to me
to see if I’m real or see if they be.
This choice I will make, and this I will do;
I’ll direct them their steps and flight feathers, too.

Then on in their day as their misery calls,
again I will help them away from their falls;
To give just a hand, a touch or a smile.
I give them this much. . .they try for a mile.

Oh, spare me the petty repeats every day!
I give you of silver. . .you give me back clay.
But maybe by God, I should thankful, be,
that I could be stronger than they could for me.

© Cheryl Taul
November 2, 1993