But Not Before Its Time

By Shawn Smith-   June 18, 2006

For one brief moment in time a drop of water in a raging river passes before my eyes
But not before its time

A leaf falls to the ground after many months of beautifying a tree
But not before its time

A crumb of bread is carried off by a lone industrious ant
But not before its time

A fish is snatched from its watery abode
But not before its time

A single twig rides the crest of a mighty wave and is carried off to God knows where
But not before its time

A solitary figure sits on the shore of a river seeking peace and quietude in nature, and that which is sought will be found
But not before its time

A tiny insect walks across the pages of my notebook seeking sustenance
But not before its time

Once a part of a mighty tree, it now lies on the ground as a discarded paper sack and will disintegrate into the earth from whence it came
But not before its time

A gull flies around my head seeking for a piece of bread
But not before its time

And the pain will eventually vacate by body and joy will return to my soul
But not before its time

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