Let’s see dear one...how about war?

That’s a very reasonable idea, to be sure!

And yet, somehow, though it pains me to say,

It is still not the worst at the end of the day.

Father suggests totally equal roles and I begin to agree,

Until I remember that it is still a choice to be free.

“You cannot force people to abandon their chains

Just as you cannot convince the clouds to hold the rains.”

He looks at me sadly, perhaps I am quite wrong?

Still, “Not good enough, Daddy. It must be really strong!”

Mother suggests no orphans left without homes.

Then Brother, the biologist, argues of chromosomes.

They bicker about nature and nurture, around and about.

Well, I guess that’s another idea thrown out.

Friends suggest abuse, they’re tired of Life’s kick.

Softly I remind them that no one is perfect.

Their looks are of confusion, anger and surprise:

“But dear...aren’t you tired of the lies?”

I suppose I am, but there is a saying I truly believe:

In letting go of hatred, there is nothing I won’t achieve.

Hatred! Of course! Why was that not the first?

To rid the world of the path too oft’ traversed?

But my voice teacher tells me to remember the past:

For even the painful moments are precious to the last.

My lover lays beside me and holds my hands tight.

“My darling, my love, what would you ever change?”

It is not unusual for her to ask something so strange.

“Hush now my darling, I will answer in the light.”

She will not be placated, so I resign myself to think-

And find myself staring at the ceiling, blinking.

What would I change, if I had the power to do so?

Would I level the mountains or stop the wind to blow?

Would I whisper in her ear until my last breath

That I will always adore her, even in death?

Perhaps. Perhaps! That is something to consider!

Soon my mind is teeming and I banish all the bitter.

She urges me to tell her before I fall asleep

So I roll over and hold her in the night’s quiet deep.

My face is buried in her hair, my lips at her ear,

“Alright sweetheart. As you wish, my dear.”

If the nature of life is to change, then what shall I do?

Should I give the world a savior, or maybe even two?

If a savior is necessary, then isn’t change on its way?

Or is this all a bizarre dream as I rest until day?

Change is our nature, the nature of all that is and was.

Life has its own agenda, and it will do as it does.

Who am I to question the natural order of things?

So in a quiet whisper, I give my lover wings.

She is sleeping now and does not hear what I say,

But my mind is changed the moment the words are away.

Wings? To fly? Oh how silly is that!

Sillier than this midnight, one-sided chat.

My lover murmurs but does not stir-

I take in the scent, the warmth, the very feel of her.

The stars glow and moonlight rests upon the bed.

The whisper of my soul fills my head:

If I could change one thing...I’d give everyone eyes to see,

To see unconditional love as it is given to me.

I’d give them wings to fly above the earth, high above-

If I could change one thing...I’d give the world more love.