I
remember a time when each day was long,
When
the world was a playground and my life a song.
And I
fluttered through the years with barely a care,
Ignoring
the future and what waited there.
School
was intriguing and filled with delights,
I
played away daytimes and dreamed away nights.
My
parents assured me I had nothing to fear,
And no
matter what happened, they壇 always be there.
Little
I knew of a world outside home,
Where
tragedy, sorrow and murder could roam.
All I
saw were blue skies, rainbows and stars,
I
looked past destruction of buildings and cars.
As a
child, my biggest concern was just me,
I had
to be happy, I had to be free.
And if
I was content, I would not shed a tear,
And no
matter what happened, I still would be here.
But as
I grow up, darkness starts to set in,
My
bright world has turned to concrete and tin.
I now
see the evidence I looked past before,
My
friends start to die and my heart hits the floor.
Deadly
diseases claim people I love,
There
are landfills below me, pollution above.
I often
think back when life was a game,
But no
matter what happens, it can稚 be the same.
There
are days when I just want to break down and howl,
To give
up completely, to throw in the towel.
But I
hold my head high and I push my way through,
I have
so much to give and so much to do.
And I
make a vow, though it値l be hard,
I値l
go with a smile and play every card.
I値l
give all I can, help others and love.
No
matter what happens, life will bloom again,
And the
strength that I need will come from within.
So come
take my hand and through darkness we値l sail,
If we
all join together, we never can fail.
We値l
remember to care, remember to feel,
Jason
Petersen
Used
with permission
