The Silver Tray

By George F. Horne

May 20, 1992

My life's just worth a silver tray?"
A friend once asked of me
As he prepared to take his leave
From a national company.

"My heart and soul I gave to them...
Asked nothing in return!"
I wondered, "Did he want a watch,
A pin, a magic urn?

It brought to mind a thought or two
About such times as these
When friends and colleagues tributes pay,
But never seem to please.

It's more than just a silver tray
With a name inscribed in bold:
A shiny storehouse of the past.
Look in; let life unfold.

The times you helped your fellow man.
The kind words you passed on;
Contributed to a worthy cause
When funds were nearly gone.

Cheered saddened hearts; picked others up
When they were trodden down:
Helped someone to complete a task;
Replaced with smiles a frown.

Lives touched without your knowing
That you had done a thing;
And stories that, retold to you,
Will take away Life's sting.

I'll take a silver tray because
I know what therein dwells.
It's up to you, my friend, to write
The story your tray tells.

Is yours a lifeless, tarnished tray?
Just shine it up and then
You'll see the wonders of your life
Come forth from deep within.

@ 2001 Copyright George F. Horne. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.