Acknowledging Selfishness

Mine, it is mine,
give me what is mine.
How often hear that, say that,
whether in word or in action
a part of the humanness we share
is the sense, the desire, for possession
ownership, control of things, things that enable
things that glitter, things that define
power, prestige, status, immediate needs
desires, passions, coveting other things
A part of the story, the parable,
the younger brother, the older brother
the giving father, and the legacy for us
of false pursuits, forgetting the message
so long written down, because we don’t
comprehend the parables still
Pharisees and scribes not alone
in missing the point, in changing
in choosing the better path
in staying with the father
the loving parent,
wanting, giving all
to the dutiful son
and the lost son
who is found

March 18, 2007 20:53
Based on sermon entitled “Brothers” by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
March 17, 2007
Luke 15:1-3; Luke 15:11b-32


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,320+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.