"The Nail" a post that can be taken many ways
A nail, rusted and bent, sticking out of an old piece of wood.
This would be a good metaphor for how I feel many days.
But you know, that old rusty nail served a purpose, and
Still does, though it may not be apparent at first. In the
Past, the nail was straight and strong, holding firmly
To its goal, then in time it became bent; crooked
With misuse. Time and corrosive elements took
Their toll. Then, by some miracle, the nail was
Straightened out enough to become useful
Once more. Now, it humbly serves to hold
That gate in the fence open for others
Who may have lost their way. So you
See, all is not as it appears, there is
A history beneath what you see.
We all have a history; it need
Not determine your destiny
For the rest of your life. We
Live, we make mistakes,
We get bent out of
Shape, but the
Carpenter of
Life can find
A use for
Us all.
“The Nail”
by
Jerry E Smith
©12/26/16
Commentary
Our lives are filled with choices, and with each choice, comes consequences.
It is (or should be) a
SOBERING thought.
Should we, with knowledge and forethought, choose a pathway that possibly could
(read almost SURELY would ) lead to our demise, our downfall and/or our
Physical degradation, are we then not the pure definition of FOOL for having
Chosen that Pathway?
If the only positive outcome to a chosen action, is a few fleeting moments of
PERCEIVED pleasure, then I submit that our perceptions are flawed.
Try to make the best choices early on, when the consequences won't be
So dire and more easily overcome.
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”
Omar Khayyám
And having learned these lessons, we can and should,
Hold the Gate Open for others.
The post was inspired (at this time) by a conversation with @lukakorba
Yh.. This is very true.. Sometimes we allow our past mistakes to overwhelm us so much that we fail to see the gate of opportunity in front of us.. Your write really inspires me.. Enjoyed every word in it.. Come what may, i heed to those words.. You've made me realised that though i may be down.. Am not out.. Thank you
Always remember, we are never alone.
This is a marvellous poem. The metaphor of the nail is simply beautiful. We all get bent out of shape by life and by our choices, but there is room for us in the world regardless. Thank you for sharing this, and I am glad I was able to inspire you to post this. I now understand on a deeper level what you meant about making the right choices early on. :)
As I said in the comment on your poem, where we were conversing about this, I wrote
This exactly one year ago today...so was it coincidence then? Did we have our
Discussion today of all days due to happenstance?
I think not.
I am happy that we encountered each other on this subject; the post would surely
Have been made today, but it most assuredly wouldn't have been quite
This way, this format, and certainly not this context.
I am glad if I can help others.
ALWAYS try to help others
(disclaimer: I am NOT in AA)
WoW I really love this one Jerry !!!
Thanks for resteeming it too.
I'm sorry I didn't reply before now, but I did upvote the comment.
I'm still here to help you, when you are ready,
Although right now I'm going to bed.☺😜
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