A-Z Blogging Challenge -"U"

Hi and welcome to my site!

As a very young girl I lived with my paternal grandmother for three formative years. Being an enthusiastic teacher and lover of words, she invariably had quotations written all over the house... literally. On the backs of cupboard doors, on calendars, napkins or wherever she happened to be.  With this in mind I am finding the authors, in alphabetical sequence, of many of her favorite quotations and am adding some of those that are special to my family as well.  Hope you enjoy!




                                                                    "U"

The full size  piece of plywood used for the 

verse

Although there are numerous authors that start with the letter "U", Robert Upton, Johann Karl Unger , John Updike, to name a few, I am using this opportunity to share a piece of poetry that has fascinated me for many, many years. I did, indeed, learn it from my grandmother, but it was reinforced by my father, who was also a great fan.  I have inserted different parts of it in "Google" but have been unsuccessful in finding the author. Please make me aware if you know who wrote this. In the meantime it is "Unknown"

It is important to note that  in his later years at home, my Dad, who suffered from  Emphysema, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, always found ways to pass his time.  One of these ways was to "burn" letters on wood, one dot at a time, using only a magnifying glass and the sun. He possessed patience and a steady hand, neither of which  was passed  on to me!
 Over the years I have read and recited it hundreds of times and every time I find something else that  points out the ironies and cold hard facts of life.

The Unknown

Heaven in her mercy, hides the Book of Fate

All but the page prescribed, our present state.

From beasts what man doth know, from man what spirits know

Or who could endure being here below.

The lamb thy riot doomed shall die today

Had he thy wisdom, would he skip and play?

Nay! Pleased to the last he crops the flowery food

And licks the hand just raised to shed his blood.

Close up view of  the work involved.

Over the years, Dad made several wood burnings and gave to other members of my family, but this is my favorite.