It’s easy to say
“The future is bright”
With a back pack on
And new shoes.
It’s harder to say
Wearing a hospital gown
And everything hurts.
What do they mean
By “bright” anyway?
I like to think of it
As the light in eyes of
A crowfeet smile
After weathered years
And leathered hands.
I like to think of it
As the hazy rays
Splitting through
Cumbersome rainclouds
After flooded rivers
Of muddied waters.
I like to think of it
As the laughter
Of barefoot kickball
After war zones
And over thrones.
“A candle loses nothing
by lighting another candle.”
- James Keller
