If, for once

If, for once.
You would admonish your own pain,
You’d put it aside, to see how it is an attempt in vain
To take notice of the small precious moments it refrains
The anguish it caused and causes all – in disdain

If, for once,
You would recognize that your child has been harmed
Would have come to you when confused and unarmed
Who’d have looked up to you for guidance & care
Nurturance, support and comfort to be there

If, for once,
This could happen, then we might understand
That what we seek is a protective loving hand
That all suffering has a reason
And sometimes a season

If, for once,
You might see how we all are affected
How life paths are all interconnected
And to ensure that karmic energy is absolved
Not carried forward, empathetically resolved

If, for once,
To reflect how conflict takes from life,
Our natural life force that is all encompassing
To operate from our inherent goodness
To forgive and redeem ourselves

Maybe, then
Relief in the aftermath of severe tribulation
A moment of connection, a sign of compassion,
From the natural joys and highs that flow
Like a babbling brook or an afterglow

Maybe, then
This beautiful life would seem light
Our hopes and aspiration might seem right
Our dreams would be ones to look forward to
To know that this life journey was worth it all the while


Everyone mistakes the limits of their vision for the limits of the world.