Words to be Sung

I don’t mean to continually repost old poems to this blog, but an opportunity has again presented itself.  Last night, I was helping Josh out with something, and as we went our separate directions I said, “Don’t worry, brother, the time will come when I will be turning to you for help.”  Of course, as soon as I said this, I realized the backwardness of that statement.  I have leaned on and learned from Josh many times and in many ways over the years, and I have often appreciated his help more than I have actually thanked him for it.  And Josh, your greatest help to me (and to all of us, I would bet) has been your constant reminder, through both word and example, of how simple faith can get us through the day.  So, here it is, back at you!

I wrote this five years ago, and while I have tinkered with a number of my poems over the years, this one was revised only once.  It was originally just a single sonnet, but when a few people questioned the word “fable” I was compelled to try to make it better.  I was reluctant to throw the word out, though, as it was, after all, an animal story with a message, so instead of changing that word I expanded upon it.   I have not changed a word since then except to add the companion poem, which in this case is a hymn.  Just see, if you know the tune, if you can read it without singing!