Old Poem : One at a time

One at a time.


One day a man walking along a beach,
Saw millions of starfish out of the reach
Of lifesaving water, in the ocean beyond,
Just lying there dying gasping from want.

A lonely boy he saw, down in the sand,
Bend over and held one in his hand,
Then tossing with all his might and strength
That the starfish in the water might land.

Though saddened by so much despair and dying
He, old and grey, thought it a waste of trying;
And youth's naiveté quick to dispel,
The old man heard himself boldly yell:

Son...you are just wasting precious care
Hardly a dint will you make in all this despair!
You can't make a difference when there are millions dying.
But I know you mean well with all your trying.

The bright young eyes in the youths' fresh face
Engaged with the older man's tired gaze.
He boldly states those now famous words,
As he picks up another starfish from the earth.
Tosses it with all his might
Into the water to end it's plight.
You're right old man , no help to millions there,
But a whole lot of difference to this one here!.
So never be put off by the size of the task
One at a time is all that is asked!

©July 2007. Ingeborg