Serenity Prayer
Some Maple syrup's not so sweet;
Some brackish, bitter (I don't eat);
I had some several years ago
And did not like – but now I know –That different trees have different tastes,
This recent batch sensation makes
Of great delight, not like that birch
I used to make when in the church.Down east it's twenty-six to one
To boil it down not quite to gum;
But sweeter is the sap down there
Than maples, birch trees we have here.Up here it's one from forty parts;
To make such syrup is an art;
It's like a rural ministry –
Some's sweet – some's bitter as can be.But none the less its ratio
Is quite distinct – when people go
Off to the cities finding life,
Few people left for rural strife.The pioneers left sweet behind
When they came west to colder clime;
We cling to life which once flowed sweet,
But now it's not what's here to eat.So we prefer synthetic goods
To real syrup from the woods;
End of a time in farming style,
Sweet memories stay on it while.Time to wake up from reverie,
Give heads a shake, new life now see;
Take up our tasks, accept the facts –
We cannot change, or turn clocks back.Fresh courage take to face the new;
Change what we can as we renew
What we now face – in second chance
The future still holds deep romance.Wisdom we need to difference see
What to let go, that we be free;
What to face down with courage new –
Graced by such love, O Lord, from You.navigation