Have you ever watched the pendulum swing?

It has a wonderful lilt of its own without spring

It glides back and forth in a forty-five degree arc

And as it moves - the swing never becomes dark



In the same kind of way I would like my life to be

That simple back and forth glide ... forever free

Something which can happen only with the help

Of those who see and feel that motion and sell



Only themselves - a very simple thing we can do

If only we open up, not pretend we're in other shoes

Than those which truly are surrounding our two feet

For the shoes of another, rarely can be at all beat



Value what it is you do and exactly what you are

Don't borrow from another - for it'll not take you far

Deceit rarely ever makes you win at anything at all 

More often than not, when found out, you'll feel a fool



So remember the ever-so-steady glide of the pendulum

If you watch it, and emulate it carefully, you won't be glum

For the curved arc of air upon which it so steadily glides 

Is uninterrupted space so necessary for its continued ride



Christopher W. Thomas

10:25pm Sun 12/28/97