Like Calls to Like

Another little poem by Edgar A. Guest.  It seems Mr. Guest was quite a prolific poet; in his lifetime, he wrote more than 11,000 poems. I love this one, it's a 20th century Christian man's view of Karma--the good that you turn out returns to you.  Or as you reap, so shall you sow--if you treat others with kindness, you will find kindness in return. 


If you walk as a friend, you will find a friend
     wherever you choose to fare;

If you go with mirth to a far strange land,
   you will find that mirth is there.

For the strangest part of this queer old world
   is that like will join with like,

And who walks with love for his fellow-men
   an answering love will strike.

If you walk in honor, then honest men
   will meet you along the way;

But if you be false, you will find men false
   wherever you chance to stray.

For good breeds good, and the bad breeds bad;
   we are met by the traits we show.

Love will find a friend at the stranger's door
   where hate would find a foe.

For each of us builds the world he knows
   which only himself can spoil;

And an hour of hate or an hour of shame
   can ruin a life of toil;

And though to the utmost ends of earth
   your duty may bid you fare,

If you walk with truth and a friendly heart,
   you will find friends waiting there.

       ~Edgar A. Guest