have you earned your tomorrow

- by edgar guest -

is anybody happier because you passed his way?

does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

this day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along?

or a churlish sort of "Howdy" and then vanish in the throng?

were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,

or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?

can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast,

that you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?

is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;

does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?

did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?

did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?

as you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say,

you have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?