hope for tomorrow

once there was a time
when the air was freshly blue
water from the tap ran sparkling silver
and you could eat a tasty red tomato from the vine

not so long ago
children played in tree-lined suburb streets
came home laughing with the dinner bell
and slept soundly in clean sheets after evensong

as I grew up
please and thank you were respected everyday words
three home-cooked meals were eaten together at the table
loving kin were the center of my universe

when I was a boy
insults were not a form of ordinary diversion
brand name clothes and shoes didn't tempt us
marijuana and beer didn't replace afternoon snacks

so what happened
to cause escalating divorce rates?
is violence between strangers today's only reality?
why do we pay extra to avoid eating impure food?

can we not return, somehow
to the simplicity of a family outing in the park
a Saturday afternoon ice cream treat after the cinema
ending each day with a sincere wish for sweet dreams?

once there was a time
when children were safe
when they were eager to learn history and math
when there was still hope for tomorrow



hope for tomorrow
30 october, 2006
[2006.30.10a]
Third Place Winner in "Iva Mae's Nostalgia Contest"