At birth we are so empty of the distractions in this world
ditractions created in ignorance of what we are to do
A baby is an untarnished mind and spirit
How do these get to be so muddled?
Because people don’t understand.

They don’t understand why the baby cries, why anyone cries
They don’t understand why people get angry, why others don’t
why we must work for our lives

People don’t understand
why they don’t understand each other
Nor why they persist in ignorance
Without even any idea
of their own motivations

Funny, if not for so tragic
how cluttered minds are robbed of memories
of what truly makes them happy

If only the memories could float
in the murky waters of tarnish and grime
People could teach those minds and spirits
brought forth each day
what makes them happy
what we are to do

Teach confidence in being here
and direction for our lives
leaving the silt to settle below
to swim in the clear, clean waters
forgetting what makes them murky and sad

copyright1996