These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

On the Side of the Road

The school year, now, is underway,
but I stand by and watch,
no more to teach from day to day,
historic color swatch.

These days I have new things to do
to keep myself amused.
I exercise my body new.
I walked when the rain refused.

For on the side of the road, I splashed
as torrents poured on down
I stood erect as peltings lashed
my body, toe to crown.

I walked, and trudged, and walked some more
without a sheltered space.
Upon the roadside drenched before
I reached my truck cab's grace.

Unruffled as a mad, wet hen,
I made the best of it.
'Twas like I swam. 'Twas not a sin.
I could not wetter get.

Arriving home I could assess
my situation, full.
My driver's seat was wet to bless,
not dry as was the rule.

My socks were soaked. I wrung them out,
and pealed 'way ev'ry cloth,
that clung to me without a doubt
as flames draw ev'ry moth.

On the side of the road, I learned a Truth,
"God rains on ev'ry man.
The good days and the bad of youth
are by His lasting Plan."

Some days He gives us shelter quick.
We find it if we hear.
Some days the drops are really thick,
and glasses are not clear.

But in the end The One, Who made,
and saves us by His Son,
transforms this all for good displayed,
His lasting Victory won.

by Jay O’Toole
on August 5th, 2022