Innocence

Written by Elizabeth Elia What would the people do, I wonder… If tomorrow our bright shiny world, The one wrapped in cheap paper, topped With a bow as red as the rose, Wrapped like a present to be set Under the tree, to be placed in the Child’s hands, what would the people do If they could see as I now do That this world hides behind a façade of Brightly lit wrapping paper, And topped with a great big Bow, as red as the rose? And one day the child will open his present to find That all the present was is the paper. For underneath, all that lies is Earth. Today, now, the air, the dirt, the oceans. A black and white, right and wrong world Filled with hate and fear and sadness; Murderers and liars and thieves… What would the people do, I wonder If their children Their sons and their daughters, Could see as I now do? The rose is not as sweet as it looks. Roses are red, roses have thorns… What would the people do, If tomorrow the world came crashing down upon them Their lies revealed, Their thoughts spoken aloud. Everything visible to every child who, Maybe even now Right this moment Holds this shiny present in their hands. Waiting for the right day, To take off that bow, red as the rose, Rip off that cheap colored paper And find nothing.