Slow Dance (Poem)

The following poem is claimed to be written by a seriously ill young girl and that the American Cancer Society will donate money to help the child every time the message is forwarded. Although this is a “charity hoax mail” (see http://www.hoax-slayer.com/slow-dance.html) that has been circulated for several years, I still find the poem itself makes sense and reproduce here as Food for Thought.

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,

Do you lie in your bed?

With the next hundred chores,

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die;

Cause you never had time,

To call and say,'Hi'

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.