Stubborn Ounces

(To One Who Doubts the Worth of

Doing Anything If You Can’t Do Everything)

By Bonaro W. Overstreet

You say the Little efforts that I make

will do no good: they never will prevail

to tip the hovering scale

where Justice hangs in balance.

I don’t think

I ever thought they would.

But I am prejudiced beyond debate

in favor of my right to choose which side

shall feel the stubborn ounces of my weight.

Where are you currently placing your “stubborn ounces?”

Share your comments about this poem.

This is our monthly offering of Words of Courage. It is our hope that the words that you read and the questions you consider will en-courage you to engage fully in your work in the world.

These "Words of Courage" contributed by David Grebel, a long time friend and supporter of CRNT.

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Comments (3)

09-15-2009 Betty Rowland - Thanks for Remembering

This is one of my all time favorite poems! I commited it to memory many years ago when I was in high school and I re-visit it often. I remember it in the first person by saying "You may think the little effort that I make will do no good. It never will prevail to tip the hovering scale where justice hangs in balance. I don't think I ever thought it would. But I am prejudiced beyond debate in favor of my right to choose which side shall feel the stubborn ounces of my weight." I am placing the stubborn ounces of my weight on several issues, especially the issue of racial justice.

09-15-2009 kerry neuhardt - Very good words!

These words spoke to me at a good time. Thanks David

09-22-2009 Cindy

This poem reminds me of a quote from Wayne Muller used in our "Questions of Calling" session with clergy this morning. "Now when I speak with groups of good-hearted community leaders and healers, I ask of us only this: Remember how small things grow. We cannot heal it all. But as my dear friend Mark Nepo writes, 'We can feed each other.' We can offer small, nearly invisible kindnesses that take flight into some resplendent future, effortless, alive."
-from How, Then Shall We Live?