Reviewing The Day

I’m trying to decide what I did today
that served the common good.
Stop a war? Feed the poor?
Don’t you think I should
be able to identify
something to call good?

But I suppose, if truth be known,
I thought more of my needs, my own
and hurried through this busy day,
missing the moments when I could say:
“You are of value” or “That’s a nice dress”
or “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”
Now darkness settles, moonlight flows
through the slatted blinds before they close
and the soft light of heaven falls on you.
It was then I remembered what I always knew:

If I do nothing in a particular day,
if I choose to live with nothing to say,
if the day seems wasted for the lack of a deed,
I think of the world’s undeniable need:
to love each other without asking reward,
to face together those times that seem hard,
to be just and kind, faithful and true.
Even if there’s little we thoughtfully do,
Creation is blessed because I have loved you
and you, in return, have loved me, too.

For, love released, given away
is more profound than what I do or say.
Today we loved and the earth rejoiced
for we made the unreasonable, impractical choice
of putting aside all the “musts” and “shoulds”
and doing the one thing that is truly good.
We loved with abandon. We loved without fear.
You took my arm; I held you near
as we walked together through this remarkable day,
following our hearts along the better way.

Did you and I do anything good today?
The answer is “Yes, we gave love away.”
And when we did, it came back to embrace
and to shine in the joy of each beautiful face.
Did I do anything important today?
I did. I loved along the way.
May I find the will, as tomorrow begins,
to do the same thing all over again.