BEFORE THE ORDER IS MADE

Before the order is made,

Before the edict is given,

Before the directive is issued,

Before the king is heard,

Before the preacher speaks,

Before the Word is read,

Before the Rabbi talks,

Before the Mullah shouts

Before the president beckons,

Before the call of the wild,

You must take time to consider,

To think about what you can do

That nobody else can do.

And when that moment to perform

The duties to which you are summoned

Do them with more care and grace and style

Than anyone has ever done

And then maybe there won’t be anyone

There with a reward,

And maybe nobody but you will know,

And that’s what makes the show.

Don Knipschield