Shapes of Clay

by Ambrose Bierce

TO-DAY

TO-DAY.

I saw a man who knelt in prayer,
And heard him say:
"I'll lay my inmost spirit bare
To-day.

"Lord, for to-morrow and its need
I do not pray;
Let me upon my neighbor feed
To-day.

"Let me my duty duly shirk
And run away
From any form or phase of work
To-day.

"From Thy commands exempted still
Let me obey
The promptings of my private will
To-day.

"Let me no word profane, no lie
Unthinking say
If anyone is standing by
To-day.

"My secret sins and vices grave
Let none betray;
The scoffer's jeers I do not crave
To-day.

"And if to-day my fortune all
Should ebb away,
Help me on other men's to fall
To-day.

"So, for to-morrow and its mite
I do not pray;
Just give me everything in sight
To-day."

I cried: "Amen!" He rose and ran
Like oil away.
I said: "I've seen an honest man
To-day."