"In a Perfect World"

In a perfect world

we wrap our children within love, beauty, and grace

the fear

of heavy hands or words that scorch

of empty stomachs and lonely nights

of filth and destitution

            slayed

In a perfect world

we protect the Mother

            the rape

                        of forest and field

                        of streams and oceans

                        of mountain peaks and sloping valleys

            eradicated

In a perfect world

we honor knowledge by encouraging free thought

            the condemnation

                        of different traditions

                        of diversity in truths

                        of multiplicity of dreams

            abolished

In a perfect world . . .

 

Copyright 2013 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman