Once I Thought My Failure To Make My Work Known Poem by Shalom Freedman

ONCE I THOUGHT MY FAILURE TO MAKE MY WORK KNOWN

Once I thought my failure to make my work known
Was only a private thing -
Poor me for not being praised by Eternity-

But now I understand
It hurts others
The people I care for
Our people threatened-

It means essentially
That I give zero-
That all the enemy voices are heard
While our side
The side of Truth and Freedom
Has one less defender-

I must try then in my old age
To make my work known-

Even if it is not so good
It stands for something
Far beyond and far more important than myself -

Walking in the Way of God humbly
In doing Justice and Mercy
Israel's and Mankind -

Well- being and Happiness
For my family my friends-

Resisting Evil when necessary
Not doing unto others
What we would not have done to ourselves-

Goodness and Kindness and Mercy
Walking in the Way of God.