What Will You Find?

There was a man, new to town,

Saw buildings run down, everywhere rubbish.

He found folks unfriendly and selfish, unwilling to help,

Everyone was unkind and intolerant and clannish.

Wherever he looked, wherever he went,

His access denied, he was rejected,

Opportunity just wouldn’t knock,

In fact, at most every door he felt disconnected.

He gave it a chance, gave it his best,

And decided to move on to greener pasture;

He was sure that it doesn’t matter what you want –

And that you never find what you’re looking for.

Another day, another man, also new to town,

Saw structures of historical value, a place of potential.

He found warm-hearted friends, generous, willing to help,

Everyone kind, open-minded and non-preferential.

Wherever he looked, wherever he went,

Access was granted, he saw charity extended,

He found opportunity knocking,

In fact, at most every door he felt splendid.

He gave it a chance, gave it his best,

And decided wherever he was, green was the pasture;

He was sure you get what you want –

And usually, you find what you’re looking for.

Some people from the town observed these two,

And were curious about the contradiction –

Same town, same buildings, same people.

Why such a difference in their reaction?

A wise man, a forefather there, offered the answer:

“It isn’t the town, buildings or people, be sure –

It’s just that sometimes you get what you want,

And you find exactly what you’re looking for.”

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Wm. Calvin Hughes

July 23, 2006