Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice

by Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire.
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

I've bought and laid out the food and the invitations have been sent.

Yes, I'm having a party and the guests keep arriving. I'm not surprised to see so many. Word gets around when there's delicious food. In such a short time, too.

Even with the icy cold winds and snow drifts hammering at the house the guests keep a-coming. And the noise is unbelievable. Everyone came in great spirits. I've never heard such joy and chatter on such a cold and blustery day.

We have a variety of guests too. I counted a dozen or more of each kind. Cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, chickadee, finches, and a big gray squirrel.

I am blessed to be able to host this party. The joy of giving is well worth it. But really, my guests have given me far more than I have given them.

I want to leave you with another poem about perspective on this cold winter day. Spring is coming and the ice will soon melt away.

A Linnet in a Gilded Cage

by Christina Rossetti

A linnet in a gilded cage,-
A linnet on a bough,_
In frosty winter one might doubt
Which bird is luckier now.

But let the trees burst out in leaf,
And nests be on the bough,-
Which linnet is the luckier bird,
Oh who could doubt it now?
 

Have you taken time to talk to someone

Happy New Year! The year is almost over and I've written few posts. I have regrets over this. I'm sure everyone has regrets. No person goes through life with no regrets. Everyone wishes at some point in their life they had done something differently.

Well, what's done is done. For the last post of the year 2012, I wanted to leave something meaningful. I found a poem written by American poet Robert Frost, well known for his easy story like poems about human nature and rural life that are easy to read and understand. He passed away almost fifty years ago after writing volumes of poetry. He is now celebrated as one of America's distinguished poets and thankfully was honored for his writing during his lifetime. Not all poets are. He read his well-known poem "The Gift Outright" at president John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1962.

This poem reminds us to take time to stop, listen and talk with people along life's highway. It's a good thing to do. Instead of keeping busy for busy sake, it's more important to take time out from our  work to pause and to visit with folks.  A Time to Talk reminds the reader to slow down and to connect with someone even in the midst of our business in a pleasant way. How important is that.

The projects, laundry, housework, homework or other necessary work can wait a few minutes. After all, clothes will get dirty and need to be washed again and we will get hungry and food will need to be prepared again.

But that moment in which to exchange friendly words with another may not.  And feeding the soul is just as important as feeding our stomachs.

A Time To Talk
Robert Frost

When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, "What is it?"
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.