we could run out of excuses
faster than our drinking water
we could say all reminders are wasted
on the next set of super bowl commercials.
we could write
the children across the street,
running in bare feet,
Will someday grow up happy
And unafraid of the cops.
We could pretend
there is a chance of catching a balloon
Once the string has been released.
We could say to each other
I undress my thoughts
As your thoughts
My failings
As your failings
thank you.
We could believe
Leaving one place releases another.
While sitting on a borrowed wooden ladder
We could argue
there is no such thing
as justifying one’s actions
If the impulse to die is dumb enough.
We could demand every politician
spend a month in a morgue
Before deciding on our future.
We could raise the stakes to minimal.
We could prove the foolish believes in repetition.
We could dream there is always something better
If we recognize our own faults
And treat them as gifts.
We could share common knowledge.
We could ask our children to design their own schools.
Perhaps reevaluate the idea
All things that hurt are truths.
We could say this will never happen again
Is like saying a chained junkyard dog
Will not eat meat.
We could say desire
on all levels
is better than no desire
on any level.
We could lie and say prevention is better than a cure.
We could pretend the beginning started with creativity
And life is too precious for me to vote.
We could learn a lot more from animals.
I could start and end this poem
your feelings
Are my feelings
Your failings
My failings
thank you.