FLY FOLLY

January 23, 2000

A fly, buzzing long on a window pane,
Giving all it's got without any gain,
Reminds me of we who do quite the same
As we struggle for power, wealth and fame.

It sees through the glass great promise out there,
With trees and flowers and fresh air to spare;
But its eyes are focused where it cannot go;
It’s heart says, “Go”, but the pane says, “No!”

There’s a wide open door at few feet behind,
A short detour, for a wide open mind;
But the fly buzzes on, using all its strength,
Counting no hours of its life’s short length.

It sees what it wants but cannot attain,
Just because of a fly-tracked pane.
Look around, little fly; there’s a much better way
Than a glass impasse in your life’s short day.

If the way seems closed twixt you and your goal,
Examine that way ‘til you find the right hole.
Don’t wear out your wings on a glass impasse
Because you are focused on flowers and grass!

Roadblocked paths are not short ways;
They use up our time; they steal our days;
So learn from the fly, and look for a door
Before you, like this fly, lie dead on the floor.