Imagine

Imagine
a world where we have to teach
our children the concept of war.
How silly they would think we were,
destroying ourselves;
all the potential wiped out
by one bomb, one gun, one knife.
Could we as historic figures
ever prove to the future
that our hate, our violence,
was important enough
to kill even one other person?
Can we ever justify
the slaughter of innocent children?
Barbaric, they would say
of our prideful, civilized nation.

Imagine
a world where love and learning,
growth and gladness,
were the measure of the day;
where sin and sorrow
were abstract ideas;
a place of peace
goodwill to all man
woman and child;
where "do unto others
as you would have them
do unto you"
were really the only way to live.

Imagine
a place, a time,
where harmony
was more than just
going alone;
where race and religion,
color and creed,
were a celebration
of who we all were;
and embarrassment
of where we came from
as a human race
was replaced
with the notion
that it was only
a stepping stone
to perfect peace.

Copyright © 2001 by Shawn Murray

Summer Showers

Raindrops
through the leaves
on the trees
in the cool summer shower
mingled with the
wet pine
beneath our feet
smells fresh and sweet

The engine of a mower
echoes through the trees
from a distance
as a dog barks
at a passing car

A bird flirts from
branch to branch
as a squirrel
chatters a warning
and runs to hide

I could get lost
here in this forest
and not even mind.

Copyright © 2001 by Shawn Murray

Memories

The memories lie dormant, festering, seething,
longing to be free to overtake me
at the most inappropriate moment
tossing and turning,
waiting and yearning,
cruel and calculating,
just looking for an opportunity
to explode onto the scene
as my poetry

Copyright © 2001 by Shawn Murray

Through the Distance of Time

she caresses my hair
the best she can
with her little hand
she wipes the tears
from my face
she is me
from so long ago
I love her
I tell her so
she doesn't hear it very often
she's in for a life
of sorrow and pain
loneliness, guilt and anger
I want to protect her,
shield her, keep her safe
but somehow I know
she'll be okay

Copyright © 2001 by Shawn Murray