The Ember's Pride Made An Ash Out Of Him
Posted: Thursday, July 09, 2009
by David Pekrul
There he sat among the ashes, thinking he was, oh, so good,
Just a tiny glowing ember that was once a piece of wood,
And he thought that he was better than the embers there that day,
But, alas, he didn't know that soon his pride would turn him gray.
There were many other embers that were crowding out his space,
They were vying for attention and were trying to keep the pace,
He believed they were a nuisance and he felt they were a pain,
And he knew that they were jealous, and it rubbed against his grain.
I've a reason to be boastful and to feel such awesome pride,
For the others here beside me are just living off my heat,
I'm the one who is important; in myself I am complete."
So he sparkled and he crackled and he told them all to move,
For he thought he didn't need them and he had a thing to prove,
So they rolled into the centre and they left him on the side,
And his glowing heart got bigger and it filled him up with pride.
Very soon he seemed to notice such a change inside of him,
For his glowing heart grew weaker and his light was getting dim,
But the others who had left him were still glowing bright and strong,
What had happened to this ember; could it be that he was wrong?
"I'm an ember in the ashes, but I'm feeling very weak,
I once thought I had a future, but it's looking rather bleak,
And the ones who I rejected are still glowing hot and bright,
Now I think I was mistaken and that they were truly right."
Now the tiny little ember, all alone and getting cold,
Sits among the lowly ashes and is feeling not so bold,
And the pride that once he harboured, that would make him spark and flash,
Has betrayed him in this moment and has turned him into ash.
If this article is used in any publication, please send a copy of the publication to David Pekrul at
E-Mail:dpekrul@gmail.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)...Smile... At times I feel like a "cinder," before I know it, "OOPS, there it is." Life has given one of its nasty blows. Then I am on the phone, hello family members, am I glad to hear your voice. Thanks for this brautiful writing.Thanks Clarence,The saying, "No man is an island" comes to mind.Thanks for your comments.
Oh wow, spectacular, David! A lesson for all in this comical and metaphorical piece. Enjoyed it very much. I'm sure to use and and I'll let you know when/where I do!Thanks so much, Avis. It's strange where inspiration to write comes from sometimes. I'll blame this poem on my job. In fact, this is now the fourth poem I've written that involves ashes.
David,I agree with Avis and I enjoyed this very much. Made me think of so many things -- yes, the metaphor. By the way, did you notice the commercial below? Made me smile,NancyThanks for reading and commenting on this one, Nancy. And yea, Google certainly knows how to track the contents and post the appropriate (or unappropriate) ads.
Hi David.A thought-provoking poem---I really appreciate your work. It reminded me of a song: "No man is an island, no man stands alone, each man's joy is joy to me, each man's grief is my own. We need one another, so I will defend. Each man as my brother, each man as my friend..."Thanks for sharing.Blessings and best regards,NenitaThanks for reading and commenting, Nenita. I knew the saying, "No man is an island", but I didn't know it was a song. Thanks for the information.Hi David.You are welcome.Here's the rest of the song:"I saw the people gather,I heard the music start.The song that they were singing,Is ringing in my heart.No man is an islandWay out in the blue.We all look to the one above,For our strength renew.When I help my brother,Then I know that I,Plant the seed of friendshipThat will never die."I hope you liked this song, it is one of my favorites.May your day be filled with joy and laughter.Nenita
Amazing, David! You hooked me again with your words and story.Hi Lorrie,I'm glad I've got you reading poetry, at least mine.Thanks so much,David
Fantastic! Wonderful! Awesome!Sir, you are an ember to my ash.Thanks Ken,Great comments from you always mean so much. I appreciate it.David
Sir,Another very touching poem. And often we feel that way too about our lives. Thanks for this nice lesson with regards, SwapnaThanks for reading and commenting, Swapna.
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