Poem May 14, 1984 Issue

The longer run

CAROL CHAPIN LINDSEY

Do you recall your first ambitions—
fireman, president, policeman,
driver of a garbage truck?
(How limited they seem, how quaint!)

For the longer run
we need a deeper look
at what we really want:
money, fame, the life of Riley?
(Riches make themselves wings
the Bible says,
and fame can backfire,
ease become a bore.)

But if we set out
to explore what really is,
to find reality itself,
to understand what's true and why,
we'll find ourselves
working for God,
aiding our fellow beings,
losing mortal self in Christ;

we'll have an ever-changing
yet stay-the-same objective—
a goal that's God-impelled
and God-fulfilled and high.

CAROL CHAPIN LINDSEY

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