The Carpenter's Song

I shall take my pleasure in the golden shafts of sunlight,

where the shadows of great trees fall dark across the lane;

I shall take my pleasure in the cooling breeze against my face,

and the open road behind, beyond.

I shall take my pleasure in the strength of an arm

and the co-ordinating skill of eye and hand;

in the curl of the shavings where the plane travels,

in the turn and grain of the wood,

the chiselled face and the hammer’s blow.

Others may walk a different road, or chase a different gold -

let them measure their lives and mine as they may choose;

I shall take my pleasure in the things I know

and in the work that I can do,

here in the place where God has set me.

Let that be gold enough, and fame enough,

while I have breath to journey on.