Little Things

Although sometimes a great big thing
Encourages me when I need it,
There are times when little things do that, too
So many times I've seen it!

Though someone can't afford something big,
These small displays of love:
A smile, a hug, a shoulder to cry on,
Are blessings from above.

Some people share those little things
With everything they do
They're such an inspiration that I think:
"Why don't I do that, too?"

I want to spread the "little things"
Everywhere under the sun,
Bring encouragement with me everywhere I go,
And a smile to everyone.

Valkyrie

Once on a battlefield
In days of old
There was a warrior
The story is told

Of how valiantly he fought
Against evil and wrong
But weary he grew
As the day continued and grew long

Though mighty he was, he was tired
And he fell when he tripped
Instead of rising to fight any more
He stayed down, and from his hand his blade slipped

He was laden with fatigue
From the long war, the day’s fight
He decided he could take no more
At least, not without seeing the light

So instead of standing
He remained on his knees
As the battle waged on,
He had one final plea

He lifted his eyes
Towards the fierce, windy sky
With open, empty hands
This was his cry:

“Valkyrie, oh Valkyrie!
Sweet Angel of Death!
Come and take me away
To my final rest.

I have fought my last battle,
I can take no more.
Come take me to the warrior’s paradise
I have heard of in lore.”

And then in the distance
No bigger than a star
Came his undertaker angel
From that paradise land afar

The speck grew ever larger
For relief did the warrior lust
As the Valkyrie grew ever closer
Her steed raising a mighty cloud of dust

The winged mount stopped next to him
The Valkyrie, fierce and beautiful, stooped to say,
“Now, brave warrior, mighty in heart,
What could make you want to go away?”

He lifted his gaze to her and said,
“Sweet Valkyrie, I need to go
I have failed my glorious land, besides,
I’m mortally wounded, surely this you know.”

Then something occurred
The broken soldier understood not
For the Valkyrie appeared to have no intention
Of removing him from that spot

Instead of carrying the mighty man away
For him she shed a single tear
The Angel of Death lifted his chin and spake,
“Poor, broken man, lend me your ear.

You came to this field
You made your stand
Your motherland you have not failed
This you surely understand.

Look around you now
Though the battle wages on,
And though the battle may continue
With your help, your side has won.

Your friend over yonder has slain many
And helped your land so much in this strife
But can you recall when the foe almost slew him?
You came to his aid and saved his life!

Or your other ally over there
You also came to his aid
But now he gained the high ground there
See? Of failure you need not be afraid.

Have you forgotten why you fight?
To save your land: set others free
With a cause so noble as that
How can you desire to call on me?

You’ve not failed, you’ve only fallen;
So stand up once more, my friend.
The only time you truly fail
Is when you fall and don’t rise again.”

Then she rose to her feet,
Stretched out her hand,
Took a hold of his shoulder,
And caused him to stand.

Then she mounted her horse
And rode away on her steed.
Though she had not given him what he wanted,
She had still met his need.

The warrior watched her leave,
For death he did not need her aid
So he reached down to the mud
And once again brandished his blade.