The common tasks are beautiful if we Have eyes to see their shining ministry. The plowman with his share deep in the loam; The carpenter whose skilled hands build a home; The gardener working with reluctant sod, Faithful to his partnership with God -- These are the artisans of life. And, oh, A woman with her eyes and cheeks aglow, Watching a kettle, tending a scarlet flame, Guarding a little child -- there is no name For these great ministries, and eyes are dull That do not see that they are beautiful; That do not see within the common tasks The simple answer to the thing God asks Of any child, a pride within His breast; That at our given work we do our best. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LAMENT by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON PALINODE; AUTUMN by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL PEACE ON EARTH by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AUREOLA by NELLIE COOLEY ALDER SCHUBERT'S (UNFINISHED) SYMPHONY by FRANCES BARTLETT |