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Perspective On Life

We're too far from our praying, when
we should seek out his face.
We're too deep in our mourning when
the heart should stay on grace.
We're too long keeping silent when
the voice inside says, "why?"
We're too long sitting dormant when
the body cries out, "try."

We're too long apt to follow when
we should go forth to lead.
We often say, "tomorrow," when
it's now that people need.
We're too soon prone to argue when 
to whisper wins the day.
We're too slow to the rescue when
a child is in the fray.

We're too soon shedding tears although
each prayer is answered, friend.
We're too long gripped by fear yet know
the soul will always mend.
We often think of having and
forget where need is great.
We scarcely hear those hurting and
should be there to relate.

We're too slow being contrite when
our knees is where we pray.
We often beg for insight when
God's there to lead the way.
When acting very selfish we
don't always do what's right.
By learning what to cherish we
will always walk upright.

                           Perspective on Life
                           b.b. 11-26-14
                           common verse.

Copyright © Brian Baumgarn | Year Posted 2015

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Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/25/2015 6:49:00 AM For me I go with what pops in my head in the moment. This was effective, especially with the repeated use of when at the beginning. I like free form because of the freedom but sometime the restriction of form offers it's own appeal. Login to Reply Brian Baumgarn Date: 6/29/2015 11:45:00 PM I was chatting with a couple other members of my recovery group one morning and some of those "topics" or things came up so that introductory phrase seemed appropriate. I don't know whether it would be considered prose or poetry in form. The rhyming was easy. I need to read it myself, again when meditating. Thanks, Richard.

Viv Wigley Date: 6/22/2015 12:32:00 AM A 7 is not enough for this wonderfully thoughtful piece, Brian, so I'm using the word 'Fantacular'. I think, as a family carer myself, that reaching out all of the time makes one look inwardly a lot more. " if there is any excellence, and anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians, 4:9) .Regards, Viv Login to Reply Brian Baumgarn Date: 6/25/2015 2:17:00 AM Yes, Viv, and Philippians 4:7 is one of my favorite verses in scripture. Thanks so much for reading and if it gives you time to meditate on the God I serve, or encourage you, great. I told Richard L. that I basically got this idea from my recovery meetings and an idea someone gave me. 'Til next time. Brian

Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/19/2015 7:34:00 AM I love your perspective. A seven from me! I would rate it higher if I could. Login to Reply Brian Baumgarn Date: 6/25/2015 2:14:00 AM Thanks, Richard for commenting. Now, would you consider something like I wrote more prose than poetry or what? It has the rhythm and meter but a couple things I have done like it are more prosaic? I had this one kind of hit me one night after someone new in recovery made a comment at a morning meeting and it triggered this line of thought, Thanks so much again, Richard.

Diane Christian Date: 6/17/2015 3:49:00 AM amazing write, its true, but we have God to help us keep things in prospective, make a point now on focusing as much as possible, even at work I sing worship songs and people tend to like it, as I work in a nursing home, and those that are Christian get so much if they hear me, and even my colleagues, one said oh that's my fave songs, so its all good, people need our word what God puts on our hearts to write, keep shining you a good one Login to Reply Brian Baumgarn Date: 6/17/2015 4:20:00 AM Yes, Diane, I work with developmentally disable men. I am not always a day at the beach but I try. I also take part in my recovery group for 30 years now and people there are always asking about a "God" perspective. It is easy to share then.