"POEMS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS"
Early one morning, after a storm had passed by during the night. A man walked alone down a deserted stretch of beach. The beach was littered with thousands of starfish. All of which had apparently washed up during the storm. As the man walked he noticed ahead of him a small boy running quickly back and forth from the tide line to the waters edge. Getting closer he realized that the boy was collecting starfish, one at a time, racing down to the ocean. And gently placing each creature back into the cool, com water.
After watching a bit in silence, the man finally approached the boy and asked what he was doing. The boy seemed genuinely surprised at the question. "I'm putting these starfish back into the ocean so they won't die." he said.
"But, son." the man replied. quickly scanning the beach. "there are thousands of starfish on this beach. You won't even come close to collecting them all! What does it matter?"
Before the boy responded he bent down to pick up one more starfish and promptly turned toward the ocean. Looking intently at the starfish cradeled in his hand. the boy answered with confidence: "It matters to this one."
A father, wanting to keep his young child busy, found a picture of the
world in a magazine and cut it into pieces. "Here," he said.
"This puzzle should keep you busy for a long while".
To his amazement, the child was back in his study in five minutes
with a perfectly assembled puzzle of the world.
"How did you get the world put together so quickly? he asked.
"Oh," said the child. "I could NEVER put the world together. But I noticed
that on the other side of the world pieces of the puzzle there were
pieces that made two children, so I put the children together.
If you put the children together right, the world will be put together right!"
I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right. Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight. As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece. Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into thr road, the other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load. As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say, the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom. I wish you'd get here soon. How could this happen to me Mom? My life just burst like a balloon. There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine. I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink. It was the others, Mom, The others didn't think. He was probably at the same party as I. The only difference is, he drank and I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life. I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife. The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair. I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom, Tell Daddy to be brave. And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave. Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive. If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom, I'm becoming very scared. Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there. I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye. I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?