Foolish Notion
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This poems is adapted from my daily intent writing practice. I am an optimist and, despite the massive evidence to the contrary (the deadly wars, the daily violence, and the climate of madness we have created with each other and the world), I still believe love will eventually conquer all. It’s not really a Christmas poem but it seems fitting right now, given all that is going on in the world.
Are you an optimist?
What do you think is needed for us to survive as a species on this planet?
© NIck LeForce
All Rights Reserved
Today, I greet nightfall with a fearless grin
and the foolish notion that love conquers all.
It is not actually true, of course, unless
you set your desire for it and then
use creative math to account for
the ills of the world, especially
in this trumped up era.
In fact, it is downright delusional.
But delusion is our greatest weapon
for living long and prosperous lives.
Otherwise, who among us
would stand up to the stars?
Who would claim this year’s victory
means something when the universe
is expanding exponentially and a father
gets killed at a party by a stray bullet.
We’ve got nothing on fate, so why prosecute?
The earth spins on its axis, no matter how
far ahead we cast our desire, and we will
blow by the target in an instant every time,
arms flailing wildly to grab it on the pass.
So, the best place to stake a claim is right
at our feet, to make the moment the target
and ride it like a stallion through our lives.
Everything beyond that is fair game,
fodder for loss and destruction and
there is no insurance to cover broken hearts,
dashed hopes, and dead dreams.
The next best thing is to greet nightfall
with a fearless grin and the foolish notion
that love conquers all.
Note: A recent news reported that a stray bullet killed a man at a party. I do not know how they determined it was a “stray” bullet, but the whole incident was reported as an unfortunate accident. The line in the poem, “we’ve got nothing on fate, so why prosecute?” isn't meant to ignore justice. The person who pulled the trigger should be confronted with the result of the action and face the consequences.
