Heed You This! Poem by Terry Dawson

Now slightly ajar stands the door,
To adult world; untried, unsure.
How is a tender heart to know
Which of the many ways to go?
Uncertainties must it endure;
Which seeds to plant and where to sow. 

Though inexperience has it's cost,
The one well grounded is not lost.
Advantaged she that knows the rules
And spurns the idle words of fools;
Into whose heart is well embossed,
The gain in using worthy tools.

Know that strength in friendship lies,
And the worth of vast open skies,
Of wilderness that calms the heart,
Who's steady beating becomes part
Of natures soothing lullabies,
And of the wild world's healing arts.

Questing for lucre is vain task,
For gold's warm glow is surely mask,
That make it to appear as friend
To those whose selfworth need depend,
On gold's lustre in which they bask,
But brings to them heartache at end!

So make your way with quiet calm,
And work your will yet do no harm.
Know that gain at cost of repute
Is folly well beyond refute!
And know that reason and charm,
Are allies of yours in dispute! 

Be evenhanded in dealing ways,
It earns you trust to last your days,
And do unto others (this is not new) ,
As you would have them do unto you.
For nothing so greatly dismays
As solemn word spoken untrue!