This poem, which first appeared in THE POET Magazine (a great source of beautiful, uplifting writing from international poets), suggests that there is a lot at stake whether your glass is half full or half empty.
Glass-Half-Fullness
Six ounces in a glass that can hold 12
Knowing, without a doubt, that the glass is half full
Knowing there are others who see a glass half empty
Knowing there are yet others who think that
Arguing whether the glass is half full or half empty is a silly waste of time
However, for those who see a half-full glass, there is a lot at stake
The very essence of life, of being.
Compelled to glass-half-fullness by our souls, not our minds
An act of faith, not logic, or politics
The oscillation of our moral compass
Not a measurement on a ruler
Risking our tongues snapping off if we acknowledged that
Glass-half-fullness is equal to glass-half-emptiness
Risking even more, for the world needs glass-half-fullness
Balancing the dogmas of cynicism
Refusing to surrender principle for exigency
Persistent, resilient even when optimism appears inadequate
Speaking truth to the principalities and powers
Such that Truth is Good and love the countervailing (and essential) power.
© 2021 Russell E. Willis First appeared in THE POET Magazine - Profiles, 2021.
And yes, you have to count the drops!