Insignificant as a Grain of Sand

How glibly we chatter on of the old and the new,
With laws antiquated, pray tell, as 1852!
But what’s a hundred years
to the ocean or the sky?
Or the God who made you? Or I,
Who feel as insignificant
as a grain of sand,
And knows well His Law rules both
the sea and the land?
Now where would we be
with the tide rushing on,
If not held by the Law of Command?
His Only Son suffered for all,
And raised woman above the earth,
Freed by Love from the passions of man.
This 20th Century on the edge of space—
Mary, protect us from Eternal Disgrace!
(1950s)

This poem was written in red ballpoint pen ink on a small torn scrap of paper, with just two word changes scratched in. Since it mentions the year 1852 and “a hundred years,” it was probably written in 1952 in Columbus, GA. It conveys mom’s strong opinionated side regarding frivolous talk and human political and military arrogance. I can only guess here, but I know that later in life, she was a strong advocate of woman’s rights, which may be the idea hinted at in the lines: “…raised woman above earth, Freed by Love (Jesus’ sacrifice) from the passions of man.” The Korean Conflict was occurred the early 1950s and there was much talk of the space race between Russia and the U.S. Mom kept abreast of the news and had (and voiced!) opinions on current events, especially wasteful and destructive ones! She contrasts the natural law (Law of Command) and eternal power of God (the sea, the sky, the rushing tide) with the feeble and insignificant efforts of man to reach out into space. She is scolding our leaders, charging them with hubris (the Greek term for pride and arrogance, which tragically brought down all grasping kings and leaders), and asking the Mother of God to intervene on our behalf to keep our leaders from falling into this age-old habit of folly and arrogance.