Respect

We are fortunate for our poem this week to have a contribution by a guest poet. The “nom de plume” (Pen Name) of our contributing poet is Norm and we thank him for sharing his talent.

Feel free to leave a comment for Norm in the Comment’s Box. 

Enjoy. . . . .

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I often have pondered just how it would be

if respect was the greeting most offered to me.

But soon I remembered that blessing was a sample

of something that one must achieve by example.

Many times in my life I wondered just how

I could gain the trust of others and have it right now.

But soon I discovered that respect would not come

to those who were just wishing and offered but none.

A child should display that trust and respect

for his parents who often had to feel him reject

their love and support for his tenuous ways

even though he didn’t deserve it some days.

Any employee can tell you how he feels a great loss

whenever he losses respect for his uncaring boss.

It’s most important for everyone to consider just why

we all yearn for respect not just pie in the sky.

But few realize trust by others must be earned

and that truth and respect can often be learned

by observing very closely the actions of a man

whose life has been dealt an unplayable hand.

The true measure of a man is not his great wealth

but rather his actions when life robs him of health.

It is for us all to consider how we tolerate such pain

when it is clear to each of us there is nothing to gain.

For it is when times are the hardest and all we can do

is to try and remove that stone in our shoe.

And by lessening that burden that holds us in check

we discover our true nature and finally gain respect.

Poem by Norm