The Finer Thought

This has not been a good week to be an American. The polarization and division that has driven a wedge into our society was on full display in the halls of our national capitol. The surreal images of mob rule and thoughtless destruction we all witnessed on Wednesday was not a debut, rather a continuation of what some of our fellow citizens have deemed an appropriate venue for public expression of their dissatisfaction. This should not be happening in the United States of America. This is not who we are as a people. We need an old fashioned revival of the principles that forged our remarkable republic. We are not monolithic in thought, but we must be united and steadfast in the conviction that consensus can and must be our common objective. Have we as a society lost sight of the best qualities that all should collectively aspire to? Have we rejected our finer thoughts? I pray not.

The Finer Thought

Edgar Guest

How fine it is at night to say:

I have not wronged a soul to-day.

I have not by a word or deed,

In any breast sowed anger’s seed,

Or caused a fellow being pain;

Nor is there on my crest a stain

That shame has left. In honor’s way,

With head erect, I’ve lived this day.

When night slips down and day departs

And rest returns to weary hearts,

How fine it is to close the book

Of records for the day, and look

Once more along the traveled mile

And find that all has been worthwhile;

To say: In honor I have toiled;

My plume is spotless and unsoiled.

Yet cold and stern a man may be

Retaining his integrity;

And he may pass from day to day

A spirit dead, in living clay,

Observing strictly morals, laws,

Yet serving but a selfish cause;

So it is not enough to say:

I have not stooped to shame to-day!

It is a finer, nobler thought

When day is done and night has brought

The contemplative hours and sweet,

And rest to weary hearts and feet,

If man can stand in truth and say:

I have been useful here to-day.

Back there is one I chanced to see

With hope newborn because of me.

This day in honor I have toiled;

My shining crest is still unsoiled;

But on the mile I leave behind

Is one who says that I was kind;

And someone hums a cheerful song

Because I chanced to come along.

Sweet rest at night that man shall own

Who has not lived his day alone.

 

Have an Awe-FULL weekend!  

William “Bill” Bacque