The Seedling

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 CLASSIC POEM: The Seedling Paul Laurence Dunbar As a quiet little seedling Lay within its darksome bed, To itself it fell a–talking, And this is what it said: “I am not so very robust, But I ‘ll do the best I can;” And the seedling from that moment Its work of life began. So it pushed a little leaflet Up into the light of day, To examine the surroundings And show the rest the way. The leaflet liked the prospect, So it called its brother, Stem; Then two other leaflets heard it, And quickly followed them. To be sure, the haste and hurry Made the seedling sweat and pant; But almost before it knew it It found itself a plant. The sunshine poured upon it, And the clouds they gave a shower; And the little plant kept growing Till it found itself a flower. Little folks, be like the seedling, Always do the best you can; Every child must share life’s labor Just as well as every man. And the sun and showers will help you Through the lonesome, struggling hours, Till you raise to light and beauty Virtue’s fair, unfading flowers. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Growing Apples Nancy Miller Gomez SNIPPET: There is big excitement in C block today. On the window sill, in a plastic ice cream cup a little plant is growing. This is all the men want to talk about: how an apple seed germinated in a crack of damp concrete; … [ READ THE FULL POEM ] <<<<<< PREV. POEM | NEXT POEM >>>>>>