Spokes

A Poem by Jack Thompson*

(Daily Mandala August 24, 2007 by Henry Reed)

Each belief is just one spoke
in the greater wheel of life.
Each supports in it's own way
that faith may bear the strife.

Each a connection to a central core
that place where we're all the same.
And from the center each spoke goes out
and each becomes part of the frame

The aim must be, to strengthen each
and  not to fight another.
For in the frame, the path you take,
will cross that of your brother.

His path is, as true as yours
from the man to the God within.
But for you to follow his path
would be, to your purpose, a sin.

Fight not his decision,
to go a different way
but to your very own path,
be certain that you stay.

We're each a part, a small one
of the wheel that touches the road.
And each must bear, at their own time
the weight of the heavy load.

It's important that we all depend
on the strength that lies within
and hold to what we know is right
and treat all men as kin.

The differences that make us strong,
as we travel toward the future
are the things that we must learn
about all our brother's cultures.

We must learn to love the beliefs,
that help build a better world,
that the wheel will be its strongest
as the road of life's unfurled.

each spoke goes a different way
as the wheel heads in one direction.
and each one's just as important
as it holds up a seperate section.

Hold to the faith that you find within.
Don't look to change another.
Because, although he looks like you,
he's not your clone, but your brother.
                   

*Jack can be reached at JackBilly@aol.com