The common tasks are beautiful if we Have eyes to see their shining ministry. The plowman with his share deep in the loam; The carpenter whose skilled hands build a home; The gardener working with reluctant sod, Faithful to his partnership with God -- These are the artisans of life. And, oh, A woman with her eyes and cheeks aglow, Watching a kettle, tending a scarlet flame, Guarding a little child -- there is no name For these great ministries, and eyes are dull That do not see that they are beautiful; That do not see within the common tasks The simple answer to the thing God asks Of any child, a pride within His breast; That at our given work we do our best. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN by JULIA CRAWFORD FARE WELL by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE HEAVEN-HAVEN; A NUN TAKES THE VEIL by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS AFTER THE BATTLE (OF AUGHRIM) by THOMAS MOORE THE PLACE OF THE DAMNED by JONATHAN SWIFT THE PIKER'S RUBAIYAT by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |