Unhappily Ever After

Drop A Pebble In The Water


Drop a pebble in the water;
just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples
circling on and on and on, 
Spreading, spreading from the center,
flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling
where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water;
in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing,
and there's ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing
to a great big wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river
just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless:
in a minute it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples
circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading,
spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them,
once you've started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless:
in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing,
and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart
a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy
ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness:
just a flash and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples
circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort
on each splashing, dashing wave
Til you wouldn't believe the volume
of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness:
in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling,
and there's joy a-circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort
whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water
just by dropping one kind word. 

~ James W. Foley ~


*** I did not write this poem. This beautiful poem was written by James W. Foley, and I have always loved it. I've shared it with my kids and it always makes us stop to think. ***

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• #12 Comment from dreamingbrwneyes 
  9/23/06 9:38 PM | Permalink

  Wow, that one gets you thinking. You share the best things, thank you so much. Now can I jump in that beautiful water background and make a big splash?? : )
  ~ Jenny
  
  http://journals.aol.com/dreamingbrwneyes/BunnySlipperBanter/
  
  http://journals.aol.com/dreamingbrwneyes/SunshineExpressions/
• #11 Comment from poobigirl 
  9/23/06 8:01 PM | Permalink

  This is one of my all time favorite poems. So beautiful and so true.
  Much love,
  Luann
  http://journals.aol.com/poobigirl/living-with-autism/
• #10 Comment from barbpinion 
  9/23/06 1:44 PM | Permalink

  It is a lovely poem - great food for thought. Thanks for posting it.
  Hugs,
  Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK
          http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HOPEFORTODAY
          http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/THROUGHGOD'SEYES
• #9 Comment from queeniemart 
  9/23/06 12:28 PM | Permalink

  this goes perfectly with my mood. Thank you my friend for sharing it.
  LOVE, lisa jo
• #8 Comment from emabecmar 
  9/23/06 8:40 AM | Permalink

  that is a very beautiful poem. thank you for sharing it. (((hugs))))
  Cindy