THE THORNS AND THE FLOWERS

I’ve taken to walking to work this Summer.
And today decided to take a short cut through the woods.
Halfway through there was a small clearing
Where all sorts of plants had started to grow.

At first, from a distance,
the little field appeared to be
an impenetrable tangle.
Designed, I was sure, just to snag my slacks
And to leave then picked and torn
And covered with brambles and burrs.

But, I decided to venture closer.
I could see just a little space to walk in,
But couldn’t see how I’d get all the way across.
I took a couple of steps into the field,
And then, I could see my way clear
To take a couple more.

Pretty soon I was in the middle
Amidst all sorts of brambles, thorns,
And cockle burr plants.
Looking ahead I could see my way clear
For a couple of more steps.
Looking back I could see my way clear
For only a couple of steps.
I had no idea how I’d made it across this far.

Shortly, I was all the way across.
I looked back again, and,
The field appeared to be impenetrable.
I glanced down at my clothes and saw
Not one tear, nor burr, nor thorn.

I took another glance back, and,
All across the field, I could see flowers
Thrusting up among the thorns and brambles.
Why hadn’t I noticed them when I was walking across?

As I completed my walk
I began to think of the problems
I’d face that day at work.
Taken together they formed an impenetrable tangle.
I didn’t see how I could make my way through

And solve them all.

But, you know, I did.
I took them one problem at a time,
One step at a time,
And solved them all.

And, as the day wore on,
I started to look around,
And sure enough,
There were flowers all around,
Quietly working at their desks,
Unnoticed above the uproar
Of another busy day.
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