The Choice

While trying to organize one of my infamous "piles" that contains images of what I want to make, buy, vacation, play, wear . . . .I found this "story" that I have saved from college. I love it.

The Choice

I watched some men tearing a

building down.

A group of men in my hometown.

With a heave & a ho & a mighty yell,

They swung the ball & a sidewalk fell.

And I said to the foreman,

"Are these men skilled, the type you'd

hire if you want to build?"

And he smiled, then laughed &

said "No indeed;

common labor is all I need.

For we can tear down in a day or two

what it took a builder years to do."

As I turned, I shook my head;

I knew there was truth in

what he said.

And I thought to myself as I

walked away,

Which of the roles am I

going to play?

Am I builder as I work with care,

Measuring life by the rule & square?

Am I shaping my deeds to a

well-laid plan, carefully

doing the best I can?

Or am I wrecker as I walk

the town, content with the

labor of tearing down?

--Unknown