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A Divine Concession

Jun 1, 2008
By .
Culture

Rival claimants are gathering in federal court to dispute the authorship of the insipid coffee mug poem, "Footprints". While I've always seen the poem attributed to "Anon" or "Anonymous," this is surely welcome news for those who believe in a loving God, a God who doesn't write or inspire bad poetry.

From the "official" website of Footprints, operated by the estate of Mary Stevenson.

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

Be sure to stop by the Stevenson estate's site for information on licensing the poem for your own calendar, poster, or needlepoint pattern needs.

From the Washington Post:

Zangare [Stevenson's executor] filed suit May 12 in a federal court against two women who each promotes herself as the poem's sole author and true copyright holder. He claims they've made millions on "Footprints"-related merchandise, money he wants a part of.

After all those coffee mugs and framed copies, can anyone really own"Footprints in the Sand"? Can a court decide what the Lord giveth, and to whom He first gaveth? Is a resolution possible?

"Sure it's possible," said Zangare's attorney, Richard Bartel. He looks forward to one day sending cease-and-desist letters to all "Footprint" pretenders who are "trading off the poem," he says, calling it a simple case of infringement.

Like Scientology, Zangare implicitly concedes through his copyright claim that this poem has no connection to the same being who inspired or authored the world's great holy texts. It's just about money.

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3 Comments

  1. tgb  •  Jun 1, 2008 @9:46 am

    As the legitimate author of the bathroom classic "Here I Sit", I will be watching the case with a lot of interest.

  2. Ken  •  Jun 1, 2008 @11:37 am

    Are the going to sue The Onion?

  3. Barbara  •  Jun 1, 2008 @7:35 pm

    That's hilarious. Have you seen there's a photographer in Utah or someplace who has an actor play Jesus and they'll set up a picture with "Jesus" holding your kid recreating the footprints thing. It's really creepy. I'll see if I can find the link again.