369 and 370
A Man who had three servants told the first
He was called “Work” by those who knew Him well;
and so that servant worked quite hard, and durst
not waste his time, or his Master’s work quell.
The Master told the second he was “Kin”
to those who knew Him well. The servant thus
embraced each one who ever entered in
his Master’s house, and treated all with trust.
The third was told to call his Master “Joy”
to everyone who did business with him.
So his was game and laughter to employ,
and handled wholesome pleasure’s every whim.
And many more names do more servants know
in every land where’er Good people go.
~~~
The Seven Days of January: i
Hello! Good morning! It’s bright out, somehow!
Tho no tilt, latitude or orbit’s changed..
Still, I cannot ignore the feeling now
that bright light seems to be newly arranged.
How well the spirit bends what eyes can see!
For all my life January’s been so.
What visions, if we granted them, could be,
if we allowed our minds to have a go.
This boon of Winter, the New Year’s release,
steroid of hope to all who do observe.
A silly day--no old things really cease--
but new things get the focus they deserve.
Hello, new things. We open up our doors
to what’s yet ours, and what will soon be yours.