Discernment Of The Body

I've heard it all – weird, wonderful, their lines,
As exegesis flows on Paul's quite simple lines;
“'Tis this”; “'tis that”; they preach this simple word:
“I know I'm right, for this is what I've heard.”

But when we look at letter which Paul wrote;
It's plain as day, (not as the preacher spoke):
“We've each a part, like parts of body – fit
To do each aspect – not the whole of it.”

And then he says – “If you don't ‘body’ see,
But think your part is all that there can be,
You'll soon be sick, then week, then dying, man –
So smarten up, and do so while you can.”

I hopped along on one foot many years;
Got good at it, though suffered many tears;
When second foot got freed to hold me up,
It evened out, and life was not so rough.

But even so, that's two of seven gifts;
I'm blind so asked a man with different mix
What he could see in research I had done;
He said “It's that – and now I've got to run.”

His insight spun my head for many weeks;
It focused life for learners I would meet
And make their lives much better at BU;
Ten minute chat – far more than I could do.

Compassion's not a gift where I excel;
My training's there, but doing it is hell;
So I refer such needs to those with gift
Of gentleness – then healing time is swift.

The server-tasks of detail and of craft
I do a bit, but soon they drive me daft;
So I defer to those with server-side;
Look! craftsmanship – in a home where I reside!

My father said, “don't try to emulate
The teacher-types in essays you will make;
That's not your gift, learn ways that work for you;
Express results their way – they set the rules.

“Because they do a task you will never do,
But you can learn from what they pass to you;
Affirm their gift, and from their product take
The parts of life which you cannot create.”

Administration is my third-ly gift;
I trip on it – some aspects always missed;
I used it once, when second foot was lame;
Now it's retired – I play a different game.

I use resource of second, “giver” side
To raise in others, hope, and how to ride
The crest of waves like surfers on this sea,
Until they rise and live triumphantly.

Now I am freed to do the work I can;
Five other gifts, like eyes, and ears, in man
Contribute aspect I can't generate –
Reciprocal the life I now partake.

I do not wish to have a sickness sad;
Get weak because no body-life I had;
Then die, wrung out from doing all the parts,
When all around were other human hearts.

Paul's words were right – just do your little piece;
The other tasks to others then release;
Import their product, celebrate each gift;
And life will work, excel because of it.

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