Our world is not a perfect place
though most of us wish it were
if it were, no longer would we
need the instruments of war,
hunger thirst would be no more
plague and disease vanquished
happiness, knowledge our norm
contemplation, peace, wisdom,
unknown generations to be born.

Humanity though would have to change
for if it were so we could not survive
unless we were all fully changed from
top to toe from inside out, outside in,
 as of now we need to strive, struggle
to survive, our emotions run amok if
there was no sorrow to weep nor joy
to leap, if we didn't know fear or
couldn't be brave, show courage,
have faith, love and hate, we would
whither and die but only if it were so.

Herbert Holzbauer
July 2004

Midi: "Does Anybody Really Know"

Art: "Paradise"
Artist: Edita Nazaraite
(www.portraitsbyedita.com)