Pebbles in a stream

by JLR

Just imagine, for a short time,
If every time you did something you regret
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you projected hate,
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time your pain filled words hurt another,
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you told a little fib,
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you scoffed at a homeless soul,
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you lashed out in anger
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you drank one too many
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you failed to say “I’m sorry,”
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

If every time you turned your back on God,
You threw a pebble into life’s stream.

Then just stare, in utter amazement,
when you come near the end of your journey,
at the expanse of the dam your pebbles built.

The lifetime of seemingly little pebbles
that prevented the flow of life’s precious
Love for some other,

"Love withheld, restrained, contained" —
the many pebbles thrown into life’s stream.

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Poem of the Month contest entry