A Servant's Single Demand
Oh, my God! What can I do
To stop the rains from driving through
Everything that I do brew
And mend and make from ruin to new?
The elements are oh so hard,
They rip and tear and break and shard,
Melting all like heated lard,
Tearing even the friendly card.
Oh, sweet Lord, I am not bitter,
I just can’t stand to see them wither
Or strewn about like useless litter
When I try so hard to make them glitter.
I hope my Master understands
That I am but a mortal man,
One who serves him foot and hand—
Loyal, with but one demand.
If I pass before I end
All the things that I did begin,
Then see that Man can learn to fend
For the love of life and mortal kin.
© SEPT‑DEC. ‘85