My daughter had this poem written in her journal from her religious education class. Use this as a discussion starter with kids for how we should choose how we spend our time wisely!
Karen
Only a Minute
I have only just a minute,
Only sixty seconds in it,
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,
But it’s up to me to use it,
Give account if I abuse it,
Answer for it if I lose it,
Just a tiny little minute,
But eternity is in it!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
that poem was great!
How true! What a great poem! Thanks for sharing!
my pastor read that poem this weekend in church when he discussed the value of time and the fact our time is our life. I love it
I have been searching for that poem for a long time. Very meaningful.
Is there more to the poem if I recall? If you have the rest, could you please forward it to me..
Thanks Irene
This is the way it is suppose to be… thought maybe you should know.
I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it. Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.
Thank you! I am sure the one I posted was watered down a little for kids but it is good to see the other version. Do you know who wrote it? Thanks!
Karen
The poem “I have only just a minute” was written by an English teacher at Saugus High School, Saugus, MA. in the 40’s.The authors name was Welcome McCullough. All of his students were required to memorize it.
This is a fabulous poem used in our school. However, I have never learned who wrote it. Anyone know?
Also, I have a slightly different version
Who is the author of this poem?
Aundra’
I’ve always been told that Benjamin E. Mays wrote the poem….It’s a Morehouse tradition to recite the poem and they always attribute the poem to Mays
I wish I knew who the true author of this poem was.
The last person whom I heard recite it was former Congressman Parren Mitchell of Maryland, back in the 1980’s. The dear congressman is now deceased.
This poem was written by Dr. Benjamin Mayes. He was president of Morehouse College and a mentor to Dr. Martin King, Jr.