ALL OF NATURE STRIVES TO BE OF SERVICE'
All of nature strives to be of service'
BELOW is the translation into English of the Spanish poem - 'Toda la naturaleza es un anhelo de servicio' ('All of nature strives to be of service') - which was read during the poignant seventh anniversary service to mark the bombing in Omagh on August 15, 1998. It was written by Gabriela Mistral, and was read by Mr Nick Cassidy, of the Omagh Ethnic Minorities Support Group.
'All of nature strives to be of service.
The clouds, the wind, the furrows all serve.
Where a tree needs to be planted, you can do it;
Where an error needs mending, the task is yours;
When the others make excuses, you take on the challenge.
Be the one who removes the stone blocking the road,
The hate in people's hearts,
The difficulties along the way.
There is joy in being wholesome and fair;
But above all there is the wonderful satisfaction of serving.
How sad the world would be if everything were ready made,
If there were no roses to be planted,
No goals to achieve...
But don't make the mistake of thinking
That only the big projects are worthwhile.
There are simple things of great service
Like decorating a table, tidying the bookshelves,
Combing a child's hair.
The one who only criticizes is the one who always destroys.
You can be the one who serves.
Serving is never a lowly task.
Even God who gives us the harvest and the sunlight is a servant to all;
Who could even be called The One Who Serves
Who looks at our hands each day and asks:
Did you serve today?
Whom?
The tree, your friend, your mother?
BELOW is the translation into English of the Spanish poem - 'Toda la naturaleza es un anhelo de servicio' ('All of nature strives to be of service') - which was read during the poignant seventh anniversary service to mark the bombing in Omagh on August 15, 1998. It was written by Gabriela Mistral, and was read by Mr Nick Cassidy, of the Omagh Ethnic Minorities Support Group.
'All of nature strives to be of service.
The clouds, the wind, the furrows all serve.
Where a tree needs to be planted, you can do it;
Where an error needs mending, the task is yours;
When the others make excuses, you take on the challenge.
Be the one who removes the stone blocking the road,
The hate in people's hearts,
The difficulties along the way.
There is joy in being wholesome and fair;
But above all there is the wonderful satisfaction of serving.
How sad the world would be if everything were ready made,
If there were no roses to be planted,
No goals to achieve...
But don't make the mistake of thinking
That only the big projects are worthwhile.
There are simple things of great service
Like decorating a table, tidying the bookshelves,
Combing a child's hair.
The one who only criticizes is the one who always destroys.
You can be the one who serves.
Serving is never a lowly task.
Even God who gives us the harvest and the sunlight is a servant to all;
Who could even be called The One Who Serves
Who looks at our hands each day and asks:
Did you serve today?
Whom?
The tree, your friend, your mother?
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1820
Published Date: 18-Aug-05
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