The Dimly Lit Change

It is all too easy to look at this life

And see only the hurting and the broken.

It is all too easy to look at this world

And see only the war and the ozone we don’t have.

It is entirely too simple to focus on this darkness

Which permeates our lives every time we are

Punctured in our skin down deep to our bones.

But the less travelled path is the one of the dusk,

The one of the dawn and the slowly growing light.

It is this dim way I choose, and along the sides of the path

Next to the moon lilies and the wilting, blooming roses,

I see the frayed edges of hope and change.

I see them, shining gems, fresh for me to pick,

And I am left with a most horrible decision.

Which shall I pick?

Which shall I pick?

Of these brightly glowing emeralds rubies sapphires pearls?

I close my eyes and reach for the smallest, I reach

For the one that draws my hand close.

When I unfold my fingers and look through the stone,

I smile a little because this change is good, this change is right.

It is not the end of war or disease or cold hate,

It is not the answer to hunger and pain.

No, it is something better, a precedent to these all

It is a small little garnet and it is engraved with one word.

Compassion

It says in font plain and clear

I will instill it in every heart,

And the wave will turn the earth.