While I Was Sitting in the Park

While I Was Sitting in the Park (Matthew 15:17; John 14:6) While I was sitting in the park In deepest dark despair, An old man passing by asked, “Why are you sitting there?" I told him that I couldn't bear To see the world so evil, But he said, "It's not the world; Young man, it is the people." He told me that when he was young He thought the world was no good, But he had to change his tune When he discovered Soul Food. Now, I was wond'ring how hog jowls Could gain the world his favor, For soon it passes through the bowels And loses all its savor. He knew my thoughts and said, “My child, I meant not what you're thinking; I know that what goes in up top Comes out the bottom stinking. But wisdom is the subject of These words I speak to you, And if you understand these words, These words will see you through. 'Good and Bad on either side And you stand in the middle, And it's your choice to live or die'; I leave you with this riddle." His words I did not understand, And told him so quite plainly. I said, "Please stay! Explain to me!" He said, "Your problem's mainly... You've tried all things from food to sex To find the thing that pleases, But your hunger can't be met By anyone but Jesus." He left me then, and I considered All that he had spoken. His words weighed heavy on my heart; I cried, "O Lord, I'm broken!" And then, I can't explain it, but I felt a peace within me. And though I didn't know, He knew What He was doing when He... Sent that man to me While I was sitting in the park And now I am no longer Walking in the dark. Copyright © Howard Alan Parsons