free-verse18 lines
Self-Satisfied
by Helen Leah ReedWell satisfied with all his own, he stands
Holding a trembling balance in his hands;
On one scale - wealth and ease, men's praises, too -
Whatever charms the soul, and keeps it true.
But on the other scale - lo - the foul street
Where pallid children play, where poor folk greet,
And crowded houses dirty, dimly lit,
On whose dull walls all misery is writ,
Houses wherein the herded cannot fight
The ambushed evil lurking day and night.
Has he - contented one - who counts his gain,
Balanced the cost - the wretchedness and pain
Of those who help him hoard his heap of gold?
Ah, human life may be too dearly sold!
For see, the one scale weighs the other down.
His gold, his ease, his honors - by Heaven's frown
Withered to nothing, now, behold he stands -
Broken his scales - reaching imploring hands.