I tried to catch the wind
But instead the wind caught me,
It raised me to great heights before
I landed in a tree.

I tried to catch my shadow
But I failed at all my chances,
For my shadow is quite eloquent
At eluding my advances.

I tried to catch a falling star
But the closer it drew near,
I backed away out of its path
Overcome by awesome fear.

I tried to catch the fairy
Who came to get my tooth,
But instead I learned I wasn't a
Conniving enough sleuth.

I tried to catch a quaint snowflake
But instead I caught the flu,
Now I'm confined to my bed
For a week or perhaps two.

I tried to “catch you later”
But got badly misdirected.
Called another friend instead
So now you feel rejected.

I tried to catch a nap,
Forty winks or maybe more.
But as soon as I dosed off
You came knocking at my door.

I tried to catch the bus
To get away for a short while;
But just as I neared the door
It pulled off and the driver smiled.

Enough is enough already
It has finally become clear,
I’m not a very good catcher
And I’m not in very good cheer.

So I throw in the quitter's towel,
Don't want to catch a thing.
'Cause I'm tired of always trying
And never catching anything.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, though delayed in publication, is expected to be available early 2006.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for reviewing spiritual services being offered, obtain spiritual refreshing and soul edification, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop Specialty Store or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.

Blessings to all!

• Mother Nearest To My Heart


• Peruvian Poems (while in Transition 5 & 6)


• Peruvian Poems While in Transition (3 and 4)


• Leigh Hunts Jenny Kissed Me, a Discussion of the Poem


• Leigh Hunt, Friend of Keats, Byron, and Shelley, and Author of “Jenny Kissed Me”


• Three Love Poems to Share


• Two Peruvian Poems (While in Transtion: in English and Spanish)


• Jenny Kissed Me by Leigh Hunt, A Discussion of the Poem and the Poet


• She Walks In Beauty, A Discussion of the Poem by Lord Byron


• Lord Byron, English Romantic Poet and Author of She Walks In Beauty