YOU’RE NOT AN ISLAND!

"No man is an island." —
That's been said before,
But it bears repeating
Just this once more.
There's no person on earth
Who can live to himself,
Who can keep his whole life
On some private shelf,
Who can shut out the world,
Have no contact with man;
Though some may well try,
There's no one who can.
We each have an influence
On the other in some way
By the things that we do,
Or don't do, or say,
And we who are Christian
Must take care of each other;
Put not a stumbling block
In front of thy brother.
If God says it's wrong,
Then don't do it, friend; —
Carefully consider
The message you send.
Just remember, my brother,
'Ere your days pass you by,
That you're not an island,
Nor, friend, am I.

a. franklin staples

April 24, 1994

Copyright © 1994 by Allison F. Staples