Lifting the Bitter Cup

Having found great joy in giving I gave.
$25,000.00 anonymously shared.
What poor soul would this bequest save?
Who would thank God that someone cared?

I prayed for an answer and the wisdom to know.
To whom in the world should generosity flow?
Someone with wisdom to make kindness grow…
One poor visionary could multiply heaven’s glow.

I went to a park and looked around.
Folk’s laughter and love did there abound.
Children scampered with energy unbound.
It was there that my recipient was soon found.

A distant figure in the dark of shade,
One hungry man through the garbage waylaid.
Huddled in a coat with a dingy facade.
I slipped him a note with my message relayed.

Meet me in the morning at about sunrise.
You have found God’s favor; I have your surprise.
That the re-meeting was important I did realize.
The test: dependability and lucidness to surmise.

I went there at dawn and sat on a bench.
The bag full of money held tight in my clench.
My stomach was churning, my fingers did wrench.
I had thought that this giving would be a cinch.

Shortly I saw him walk across the lawn.
Curiosity and hope shone brightly upon his face.
What, I wondered, would experience spawn?
We sat there and talked about life, way past dawn.

He shared his dream and I gave him the bag.
Trusting that God would stay by his side.
One year later, he stood on a crag.
Praising his Lord for His constant abide.

Twenty-five thousand had increased a hundred fold.
Having lost everything that he had since birth,
He had learned a hard lesson when he had no gold.
So, he set out on a mission to heal man on earth.

Unselfish acts and the insight to invest
Led him down a path to wisdom and success.
He passed love forward filling each bitter cup.
Along his way, he, too, lifted others up.

© January 16, 2011
Dane Smith-Johnsen

Fictional Written for Carol Brown's Contest:  I Helped the Needy
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Smith-Johnsen Avatar
February 17, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Fair question, Edwin! It was not to see if he was tardy...but if he was lucid enough and faithful enough to remember to come the next day...or mentally unable to function! The test...of course, in my thinking, being God inspired! A required act of faith on the receiver's part! Thanks for asking.
Guzzi Avatar
February 17, 2011 at 1:55 PM
WONDERFUL WRITE AND WIN FOR YOU AND i HAVE NO DOUBT YOU'D DO IT TO! wHO'S #1 OOPS why you! Light & Love
Devonshire Avatar
February 17, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Congratulations on your first-place win in Carol's contest, dear friend. So happy for you! Love, Carolyn
Muzzey Avatar
February 17, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Congratulations on your first place win with this wonderful write. I enjoyed the read. Caryl
Freeman Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 6:05 PM
Beautiful write sweet lady Dane, I love your rhymes and you idea of charity multiplyed. "Congratulations on your poem's worthy honor in first place. Agape, Moses
Pettit Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Carol must have liked this one. I like it as well. Congratulations on garnering first place in the contest with this fine entry.
Johnson Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 3:18 PM
Congratulations Dane Anne on your first place win with this wonderful story. Love, Joyce
Sweetheart Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 2:30 PM
Congrats Dane Ann on your wonderful first place win in Carol's contest with another spectacular and sensitive write my friend.. enjoy with luv..
Mehta Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Accept my congratulations on the first place win in the contest, Dane
Richards Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Congratulations Dane Ann, a wonderful 1st place so well deserved! :)
Brown Avatar
February 16, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Congratulations on your placement Dane Ann in my contest "I Helped The Needy". Love, Carol
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