Tuesday, July 29, 2008

77. One Starfish


A SINGLE STARFISH

The beach lay littered with starfish
The tide was running out
Receding was the water
They could not live without.
A hundred thousand starfish
Like stars in the sky at night
Lay beached on terra firma
Unable to put up a fight.
Each one would die by the evening
When the sea came rushing in.
Theirs' was a hopeless battle,
One that they could not win.
Then I saw a stranger walking
Along the sandy beach,
Passing the dying starfish
Lying within his reach.
I saw him bend and take one
Hurling it into the sea.
I saw him bend and throw one,
And then throw two and three.
And still around him lying
Were the thousands still close to death.
What difference was he making?
He should have saved his breath.
'Why save a single starfish
When so many are left to die?'
I asked as the man drew nearer
And I managed to catch his eye.
'You can't make a bit of difference,
The dying will still go on!
You simply can't keep throwing
Until every one has gone!
There's not a chance that you'll prevent
The inevitable slaughter!'
Yet still he bent and still he threw
Starfish into the water!
I laughed unkindly at his deed
'Why don't you just ignore them!
Do think a single starfish here
Will know what you're doing for them?'
Then, he said, as he bent to a starfish
And readied himself for a throw
'The world wont know the difference,
But, believe me, THIS starfish will know!'

20 comments:

bobbie said...

Now, THAT is the right attitude!

Indrani said...

Powerful message Brenda. Wish each of us could take similar small steps... the world would definitely be a better place to live in.

Bear Naked said...

Brenda
I must compliment you again on your wonderful poetry.
Have you seen ABC Wednesday at Denise's blog and thought of joining? http://mrsnesbittsplace.blogspot.com/
Please check it out, your poetry would be a wonderful contribution and I am sure many people in this blogosphere would agree with me.

Bear((( )))

Lynn Emery said...

Love poem. Liked the one about shopping, too. What fun.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You have such a way with words. Must be nice to be so, so talented!

Kat said...

Thank you so much Brenda... your poem's so lovely than the prose!

Please see a web site - http://foragudcoz.tripod.com/

Couple of class mates from our Engineering college have grouped together and we're taking care of these kids education. These are kids who love to study, but do not have the means. We mostly fund it ourselves.

ladygarfield said...

Lovely.. and very well written. thanks for the read.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Adore the punch-line! Loaded with a challenge to all to have a go at throwing starfish into the sea, one by one! It does make a difference! Great poem!

Sherri B. said...

What a wonderful way to convey your beautiful message that every little bit can make a difference.

gautami tripathy said...

Loved that end line!

waking in to dreams

Also don't forget to post your creative works at Monday Poetry Train Revisitedon Monday mornings!

Loch Rob said...

I think we all ultimately want to make a difference, and the measure of our character is what we do when no one else is around. Nicely done.

SandyCarlson said...

Indeed. So true! Beautiful.

Tumblewords: said...

So true. One. One. One. At. A. Time. Well-crafted!

Amity said...

I like the moral of the poem Brenda..:)

It does make a difference! You may not be able to salvage all, but the thing is, you did something that starfish alone will remember as a good deed.

Prats said...

I read this story so long back .. and always had admired it .. but i loved your poetic style so much more !!

Tammie Lee said...

powerful piece Brenda. I enjoyed the rhythm also!

Cascondaville said...

If only we all did that kind of thing more often, what a difference it would make! Nice job!

Brother Ollie said...

You have a poet's eye.

Gemma Wiseman said...

I remember being moved by this one and still it moves me! Little deeds do indeed make a huge difference!

The Friday Forgotten said...

Thank you for visiting The Friday Forgotten and linking your post. Your imagination and creativity should never lie dusty in a dark corner of your blog. We are happy to help clear away the cobwebs. (We have fixed our linking issues sorry for the hassles)

A touching and thoughtful poem with an attitude that humanity needs more of.