It’s the time of year when most people put up inspirational messages, often about religious or spiritual subjects. I just wanted to share something similar, but a little bit different. The theme of this “poem” is the same as what I try to put into most of my stories.

By the way, for those who are interested, from December 5 on there will be a long interview on this site about my particular Next Big Thing, which is the book that came out of the dreams of STRANGE FATE (which I’m still working on) called THE LAST LULLABY.

THE STARFISH POEM

Once upon a time there was a wise man

who used to go to the ocean

to do his writing.

He had a habit of walking

on the beach

before he began his work.

One day he was walking along

the shore.

As he looked down the beach,

he saw a human

figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think

of someone who would

dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster

to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw

that it was a young woman

and the young woman wasn't dancing,

but instead she was reaching

down to the shore,

picking up something

and very gently throwing it

into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out,

"Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young woman paused,

looked up, and replied,

"Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked,

why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out.

And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young woman, don't you realize that

there are miles and miles of beach

and starfish all along it.

You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young woman listened politely.

Then bent down, picked up another starfish

and threw it into the sea,

past the breaking waves and said . . .

"It made a difference to that one."

And so it goes . . . Do what you can. Make a difference to someone, somehow. ‘Tis the season to put away old grudges, get in touch with old friends, and let your little light of love shine like a star.

. . . fish. You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?