Graphic by MamaBear
Harvesting Joy
Can one grow tired of too much happiness, too much joy, too much bliss?
Would you wish for a more quiet moment, if the world would give you this?
All our happiness comes in bunches, like the harvest for the feast,
And we all give grateful “thank-you”s from the greatest to the least.
The rising swell of Nature’s bounty will be followed by a trough,
And the day of laughing hearty is soon followed by a cough.
All these things are in a balance, day is followed by the night.
But that portends just as truly, that great darkness yields to bright.
If you find yourself in doldrums, there’s a zephyr coming soon,
And the path in utter darkness will be glistened by the moon.
Baking days of Summer sunshine will be chilled by Winter snow,
And the tiny leaves of Springtime, slowly turn to gold, you know.
Life is filled with passing patterns, first the bitter, then the sweet,
And the sadness of a parting is forgotten when we meet.
Save the moments of your treasures, hold them in your bosom tight,
That in darkness of their leaving, you’ll be glowing by their light.
Take the time from Summer’s harvest, to distill a warming brew,
Of the sweetness you remember, when the Winter threatens you.
In the darkness of December, light a candle for the time,
That the Springtime of your journey was so brilliant and sublime.
NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . . July 12, 2004
© 2004
In James 4, the writer swung his axe at the root of one of our deepest problems: a smothering absorption with our own desires-getting our own way and having our own needs met. When that passion is frustrated, it can quickly become blind rage that demeans others and debases us. Though we may get what we want, we're left feeling unsatisfied. 
