Pouring
Donald P. Goodman III
I saw a cup fill'd to the brim with water clear,
and then another, fill'd as high with filth and scum;
and then a ewer as fill'd with wine, most fine and clear,
so perfect both the cups wish'd to be fill'd with some.
But they could not, to both their sadness and dismay,
for no amount of pouring in could fill them less;
the water and the filth both kept the wine away;
no cup already full can further fill possess.
To pour into a cup that's full dilutes the wine;
both filth and water render it a ruin'd mess.
To alter our own selves, we must them realign,
pour out the lesser and refill with good and fine.