At A Day's End! (By John Hall)

A good friend of mine, Eric, sent me this beautiful poem written by John Hall. Read it slowly and you will find some of the sentences/questions provoking, and it even sounds like a morning a prayer. And certainly, as the title of the poem suggested, you may also think deeply into it at the end of the day.

Did you win the day or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness? Or a scar of discontent? ... ...

... And God will say "You have earned one more tomorrow, by the good you did today!"

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At A Day's End (By John Hall)


Is anybody happier
because you passed their way?
Does anyone remember
that you spoke to them today?

The day is almost over,
and its toiling time is through,
Is there anyone that will utter
a kind word about you?

Can you say tonight in parting,
with the day that's slipping fast,
that you helped a single person
of the many that you passed?


Is a single heart rejoicing
over what you did or said?
Does the one whose hopes were fading
now with courage look ahead?

Did you win the day or lose it?
Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness,
or a scar of discontent?


As you close your eyes in slumber,
do you think that God will say,
"you have earned one more tomorrow
by the good you did today?"

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There is another one very similar text, listed inside a book of "Living Sparks of life" by Major Ernest N. Reeves printed in 1938 (in Page 82).

The Day's Work (By Anonymous)

Is anyone happier because you passed their way?
Does anyone remember, that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over and it's tolling time is through,
Is there anyone to utter, a kindly word to you?


Did you give a friend a greeting who come along?
Or a cheerful sort of howdy, and vanished in the throng?
Well you selfish, pure and simple as you rush along the way?
Or did someone mighty grateful for a deed today?


Can you say in parting with the day that's slipping past,
That you have helped a single person of the many you past?
Is there a single heart rejoicing over what you said?
Did a man whose hopes fading with courage look ahead?

[I went to Olivia's dancing rehearsal on Victoria Day (24/May) and I saw this leaf lying on the ground. The other fallen leaves appear more like rubbish, while this one gives me strong feeling of it's strength and will to live-on. Though I guess it also knows it's destiny, it's trying hard!]