The Lone Harvester

                                                    T'was an old man one winter,
                                                          on a stead all his own.
                                                 who had reaped a great harvest
                                                    from the crops he had grown.

                                                       He had joyed to the fullest
                                                        for his minimum of seed
                                                        was enough to do justice
                                                          and to satisfy his need.

                                                The man farmed through his days
                                                    filled with sickness and pain.
                                                 dealt with fields that were barren
                                                           and devoid of the rain.

                                                       Other farmers grew fields
                                                            but were lazy in plan.
                                                   In their own lives they boasted
                                                       and ridiculed the old man.

                                                      They all spouted,"How silly."
                                                   "What does the old man know?"
                                                      "He is lacked of resources!"
                                                        "He has nothing to grow!"

                                                       But their faces were afrown
                                                   when their seasons were done....
                                                  The old mans' crops were plenty
                                                   while they found they had none.

                                                        So they asked to the elder,
                                                      "How have you such a gain?"
                                                    We all owned the same fields,
                                                     given the same sun and rain?"

                                                        He replied,"It was simple."
                                                      "I had faith that stayed true....
                                                    " And if yours not had faltered,
                                                You would have reaped a gain,too."