Talk Is Cheap

We shall do so much in the years to come,
But what have we done today? 

We shall give out gold in a princely sum,
But what did we give today? 

We shall lift the heart and dry the tear, 

We shall plant a hope in place of fear, 

We shall speak with words of love and cheer,
But what have we done today? 

We shall be so kind in the afterwhile,
But what have we been today? 

We shall bring to each lonely life a smile,
But what have we brought today? 

We shall give to truth a grander birth, 

And to steadfast faith a deeper worth; 

We shall feed the hungering souls of earth, 

But whom have we fed today?


—Nixon Waterman.