Poem June 10, 1985 Issue

Upward and onward

THOMAS ALAN WALDMAN

Consider the grasshopper
who hurls himself aloft
but briefly
before returning to earth
perhaps a minuscule move forward
from his takeoff point.

Must there not be a better way?

Observe now the hummingbird.
Oft aloft
sometimes hovering
seemingly making no progress
but still maintaining his altitude.
One must admire his attitude.
Then suddenly
like some feathered bolt of lightning
he's darting forward
to hold again this newly won position
above earth's downward pull
ever ready for opportunity
to move ahead.

Grasshoppers and hummingbirds—mere things with wings?
Or metaphors for higher things?

Who hasn't tried the grasshopper way?
Content on ground
then praying mightily
managing to overcome some earthly trouble
only to settle again for earthbound respite
until the next crisis.

How much better to have found
the hummingbird way
maintaining spiritual altitude
while patiently awaiting opportunity
to dart ahead—
then hold that gain
still airborne
ready for the next advance!

Prayer without ceasing
is very demanding
but better by far
than just leaping and landing.

THOMAS ALAN WALDMAN

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Overcoming obstacles
June 10, 1985
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