A Grain Of Sand
from Carols of an Old Codger: Rhymes for Reverence
© 1954, Robert W. Service, used by permission

If starry space no limit knows
And sun succeeds to sun,
There is no reason to suppose
Our earth the only one.
'Mid countless constellations cast
A million worlds may be,
With each a God to bless or blast
And steer to destiny.

Just think! A million gods or so
To guide each vital stream,
With over all to boss the show
A Deity supreme.
Such magnitudes oppress my mind;
From cosmic space it swings;
So ultimately glad to find
Relief in little things.

For look! Within my hollow hand,
While round the earth careens,
I hold a single grain of sand
And wonder what it means.
Ah! If I had the eyes to see,
And brain to understand,
I think Life's mystery might be
Solved in this grain of sand.

Robert William Service (January 16, 1874 — September 11, 1958) was a Scottish-born Canadian poet and writer. He is most well known for his writings on the Canadian north, including the poems "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee".

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