Monday's Poetry: "A Grain of Sand"

by Pa Rock
Poetry Appreciator

Today's poem by Robert W. Service, one of my favorite poets, reminds us of how insignificant the earth and man are among all of the matter strewn across the heavens.  In the grand scheme of things, if such a thing exists, we are little more than a grain of sand.  And if a supernatural deity controls our lives and environments, then surely the heavens must be cluttered with countless Gods.

A little perspective can be a sobering experience.


A Grain of Sand
by Robert W. Service


If starry space no limit knows
And sun succeeds to sun,
There is no reason to suppose
Our earth the only one.
'Mid countless constellations cast
A million worlds may be,
With each a God to bless or blast
And steer to destiny.

Just think!  A million gods or so
To guide each vital stream.
With over all to boss the show
A Deity supreme.
Such magnitudes oppress my mind;
From cosmic space it swings;  
So ultimately glad to find
Relief in little things.

For look!  Within my hollow hand,
While round the earth careens,
I hold a single grain of sand
And wonder what it means.
Ah!  If I had the eyes to see,
And brain to understand,
I think Life's mystery might be
Solved in this grain of sand.