A BAD DAY IN THE CIY
| It was a sweltering kind of friday On a busy city street I stopped to dab my sweated brow And conceded I was beat I surrendered to temptation There was nothing I could do So I dashed into the nearest pub To sink a beer or two And as my luck would have it As I breasted to the bar A stranger stood beside me Idly chewing his cigar I could see his eyes were misty His face was gaunt and pale And he heaved a sigh of sadness Each time he sipped his ale Well, I couldn't stand there watching I hate to see a grown man brood So I struck up conversation To try to ease his mood Then he laid his thoughts upon me In a voice so soft and meek "I've been thinking of my father; The poor soul died this week" "And I've just been contemplating That the words he spoke were true." "If you can spare me just a moment I'd like to share his words with you." "Each night when I was just a child He'd take me on his knee. And he'd tell me of the wondrous gift This life on earth can be." "He would tell me in his loving voice He had some golden rules. And I'm sure that you'll agree with me His words were wisdom's jewels." "Don't store your bitter memories Keep the ones that's sweet and bright. Savour every joyous moment; Push the others out of sight." "Don't let your time be crowded Always keep some breathing space. Don't walk in moods of darkness; Keep the sunshine on your face." "Don't dwell on all the heartaches Think of all the joy you've had. Keep a smile for all who greet you And you'll find life's not so bad." "Don't try to be the many things You just weren't meant to be. Do your best with what God gave you And your spirit will be free." "Don't harbour thoughts of vengeance They bring coldness to the heart. Leave behind the one's who hurt you And make a fresh new start." "You should pause in bed each morning Before you start your day And be thankful for the many joys That life has brought your way." "When troubles fall upon you You will always see them through If you think of all the people Who are much worse off than you." "Don't be blind to other's burdens Lend assistance when you can. For a heart is full of pleasure When it helps a fellow man." Then his hands began to tremble And he paused to catch his breath I could see his heart was heavy As he grieved his father's death. Well, I stood there feeling useless And though I'm not so very bright I tried to find some words of comfort That would ease the poor man's plight So I started quoting words of hope I'd heard a preacher say 'That his father was in heaven And they'd meet again some day' That his father's words would keep him On the path we all should tread And while the words lived on within him His father wasn't dead And I told him that his father's words Would guide him all his life They were words we all should live by And they'd keep him free of strife. Well, I'd hoped my words would help him But they brought him further dread For his face became more gloomy And then he sadly said: "They bury him tomorrow And I don't even have a suit. I'd like to buy a new one But I just don't have the loot." Well, I emptied out my wallet And pressed it in his hand When I told him he could buy his suit It made me feel real grand He thanked me for my kindness "He'd repay me later on." Then he quickly turned and walked away In an instant he was gone. Then a fellow standing next to me Spoke words that gave me pain. "So, Bob told you his story; Well, you won't see him again." "He takes in all the suckers; It never seems to fail. He's only on parole this week; Next week he's back in jail." K.D. Abbott © 2007 |
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