Letters joined make words,

And words to books may grow,

As flake on flake descending

Forms an avalanche of snow.

A single utterance may good

Or evil thoughts inspire;

One little spark, enkindled,

may set a town on fire.

What volumes may be written

With little drops of ink!

How small a leak unnoticed

A mighty ship will sink.

A tiny insect’s labour

Makes the coral strand,

And mighty seas are girdled

With grains of golden sand.

A daily penny saved

A fortune may begin;

A daily penny squandered

May lead to vice and sin.

Our life is made entirely

Of moments multiplied;

As little streamlets,

Form the oceans tide.

Our hours, and aye, our months and years,

Are in small moments given;

They constitute our time on earth,

Eternity in heaven

Anon