poem

Dee Seton Barber wrote volumes of poetry. This one we share as 2021 ends. (Originally published in Woodcraft is Lifecraft, 2nd Annual International Woodcraft Communication, 1993.)

At Year’s End – The Woodcraft Way
by Dee Seton Barber

Have I grown in wisdom – tried to understand?
Given of myself – offered all an open hand?
Have I rendered service freely from the heart?
Have I made a difference or at least a start?

Is someone stronger ’cause I let them know I care?
Have I done my best to share all that I can share?
Have I kept a secret to spare another pain?
Did I do all that I could without a thought of gain?

Have I learned a lesson, taught myself a skill?
Have I helped another or just acted from my will?
Have I made a friend – paid in full my debt?
Can I sleep tonight without dwelling on regret?

Have I played in sunshine – have I walked in rain?
If the year was new would I do it all again?
Have I looked for wonder at both sky and ground?
Have I taught another of something I have found?

Have I learned to cherish something of real worth?
Have I not been greedy – protected, cleaned the earth?
Is my vision clearer – have I kept the trail?
Granted self forgiveness for the times when I did fail?

Have I sought the silence to listen to my soul?
Am I any nearer to becoming whole?
Am I looking forward and backward without fear?
Have I now determined to do better still next year?

_________

Click here to learn more about E. T. Seton’s youngest daughter.