Forgive Me When I Whine 

     
Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair.
I envied her. She seemed so gay, and wished I were as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg, and wore a crutch.
But as she passed - a smile.
O God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs. The world is mine!

I stopped to buy some lollies.
The lad who sold them had such charm.
I talked to him. He seemed so glad.
If I were late, t'would do no harm.
And as I left he said to me, "I thank you. You've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see, I'm blind."
O God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes. The world is mine!

Later, while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know quite what to do.
I stopped a moment, then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word,
And then I knew he could not hear.
O God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears. The world is mine!

With feet to take me where I'd go,
With eyes to see the sunsets glow.
With ears to hear what I would know -
O God, forgive me when I whine.

      - Bruno Hagspiel