Life's Great Canvas

Story ID:	3865
Written by:	JANET KESSLER POLUDNIAK
Organization:	JUST ME
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Ithaca NY USA
Year:	2008
Person:	Graduates--Congratulations

This is the time of year that we honor graduates from all levels. This poem has been shared with thousands of people in my area via newspaper publications, church publications, and personal distribution to graduates we honored at church.

I hope it will be as meaningful to you as it has been to me. Life is all about choices. Young people are the future of our country, our world. If you're a graduate--CONGRATULATIONS--choose well.


Life's Great Canvas
©2004, Janet K. Poludniak

Once I was a graduate, perhaps a lot like you.
As I strode to ‘Pomp and Circumstance,' I wondered what I'd do:
"Will I do great and wondrous things? Will men proclaim my name?
Will they erect a bust of me in some earthly Hall of Fame?"


As I stepped off that platform, I thought I heard it close:
that ‘Door of Academe' where for years I'd had my nose,
but I didn't even look to see . . . the future seemed so bright
inviting me to paint my way, with colors dark or light.


I was painting life's great canvas—by good or by mistake—
each time I'd plant my footsteps by choices I would make.
My desire led me farther on . . . always painting as I'd go,
leaving there a picture where my every choice would show.


I set my aspirations high, stepping into glorious things.
The rich colors were so tempting, "Surely joy is what this brings."
In time, I sought to admire it all . . . full of pride, anticipating,
but saw the colors had all changed; they were all harsh and grating.


I thought, "O', I must change the way that I have gone!"
I knew that I could not go back, but how could I press on?
I reflected on past choices, feeble things done just for me;
I realized that I'd been fooled by dreams, held selfishly!


If the colors I had chosen, emerged empty and dark,
what would the darker hues produce? Would they be fair or stark?
As I stood, fixed, I pondered, then I prayed a simple prayer,
"I need You, Lord, to guide my steps; I'll follow anywhere."


Before me, I saw footsteps . . . in a dark and dreadful hue,
and I heard Him say, "Follow Me! It's what I have for you."
His footsteps slowly moved ahead. I decided I must trust;
I placed my feet where His had been as He had said I must.


I felt a little twinge of fear for I'd given God control.
Not knowing where He would lead, excitement filled my soul!
Briefly, I glanced back to see; had the canvas really changed?
And as I did, I was in awe; it had all been rearranged.


Now, the canvas is amazing, for the Master leads the way.
He cautioned, "Child, don't look back, fix your eyes on Me each day!
Don't trip and fall in foolish pride, This painting is not your own!"
The door to wisdom is open wide. I'm learning and I've grown.