of simpler times

every now and again i think back to the simpler times in my life. when i was a child, i had few responsibilities and fewer worries. come to think of it, i may not have had that many thoughts. there wasn't so much to question, to doubt, to fear. i could just trust, and believe. i would never give up the many things that i have learned with age, and i'd like to channel the power to find such peace again.

in the next few months, i think life will both simplify and complicate itself. graduating is going to be a simplification. it is a clean end to a chapter in my life. as much as i will miss the familiar places and faces, i do not regret my decision to move forward. going to a new school is going to be interesting. calling it a complication sounds like it is going to be a negative experience. i don't believe that, so i can't categorize it in that way. but, i do think i'll face many new challenges that will force me to re-examine my motivations, my skills, and my choices. but, i'm honestly looking forward to being rustled a bit. life would be boring without moments or people that literally smack us across the face and say, "wake up and live".

if i could be an object, i'd be a drop of water. then i could experience so many things. i could be still and frozen, caught in an icy tableau. i could be rain or river. i could be a cloud. it would be beautiful. despite the many possibilities, i think water would be simple not complicated.

what would you be?

out of the dark comes the light

i wonder what we'd do
if we knew our time was due
or that the storm was never ending
would we ever stop pretending?

i wonder what they'd say
if the forests burned away
or they heard the children screaming
or saw the banners streaming

would anyone stop to care
if strangers were in despair?
if the river ran its shore,
or the levee was no more?

how many people have to die
before we hear them cry?
before we lend a hand?
before we give a damn?

who taught you to be brave
or to give all that you gave?
was it the gentle urging of your mother,
or the rough-housing of your brother?

i'd like to know when we'll understand
our many wondered land
and finally come to aid
all those who must be saved

i can't seem to help but feel
that the dream could become real
when no person dies alone
or lives without food, water, or home

if we could only be
the change we wish to see
maybe then we could inspire
only then will we reach higher