I Wish

Hoping (against hope) for a better world.

Just like Lennon

I spend my days

Imagining a future

That may never come my way

Just like Martin

I have a dream

That one fine day

things will not be what they seem

            You and I, hand in hand

            Can make a difference in the land

            Can make the world a little brighter

            If only we made our ranks tighter

Just like Gandhi

Who led a simple life

Spurning violence

And throwing away the knife

Just like my dad

I work my butt off

To turn an honest buck

So no one can look and scoff

           You and I, hand in hand

            Can make a difference in the land

            Can make the world a little brighter

            If only we made our ranks tighter

(you can listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/rodsimas/woodys-wish)

Author's Note

just experimenting. again. because.. why not?
my son plays in a jazz band. he asked me to write a song for them to play. so dad came to the rescue. I don't for the life of me know if this counts as lyrics for a song. you tell me.

THIS IS THE RIGHT LINK
https://soundcloud.com/rodsimas/woodys-wish

Reviews

[Lost, n'MT]

Wow, this is phenomenally written! A mutual friend had recommended your writings. I had chosen this "experimental" piece at random, and it is wonderfully expressed. So powerful and such an inspirational piece. I love it. I really enjoy the style of it as well, very unique and well executed.

And while I haven't read any of your other writings yet, I hope you continue to pursue more writing like this as I noticed through other comments that this isn't your usual tone. So while I look forward to reading your signature style, I seriously hope you consider writing more pieces like this. Absolutely fantastic!

[Woody]

Gee I'm flattered and embarrassed, Lost Soul. thank you very much for your kind words. and sorry about the late response. I sincerely hope you will not be disappointed by my other writes as they are rather on the light side. pieces like this one are few and far between, I'm afraid.
have you listened to this poem sung by a fellow writer/singer? the link is in the author's note.
once again, thank you L.S. I'm going to return the favour soon. I always do.

[Lost, n'MT]

No apology necessary, and you're very welcome. I noticed that as I kept reading, but I have enjoyed the majority of your writings that I have read so far. I had written more in the other review so I won't repeat myself.

However, I have not heard said singing yet, though I plan to listen later tonight and look forward to it.

While not necessary, I appreciate the offer. Thank you.

[EMMIE]

Beautiful...I can see the "Imagine" inspiration there. It seems as if you were listening to the song while writing this. Great pen on this one!

[Woody]

aah John Lennon and the Beatles. my first contact with English music and my first love.
thank you, Dear. glad you liked it.
you might not have noticed the link in the Author's note. a fellow writer/singer on this site put it to music and sang it. have a listen. see if you like it :)

[EMMIE]

That sounds great actually! I like the musical arrangement too.

[Country boy183798]

Powerful and inspirational! It emits hope. Well written, good choice of words, and a powerful theme. Well done mate!

[Woody]

mmm you're discovering my dark side haha. thanks a million. glad you enjoyed it.
did you listen to it sung by a fellow writer, here? the link is in the "Author's note" above.

[Country boy183798]

I checked the song out just now. It's really good! He sings very well, and you already know my thoughts regarding the lyrics.

[Woody]

thanks again Edmund. I like the way he sang it. he sounded a bit like Bob Dylan.

[Country boy183798]

Oh yeah, he does indeed.

[Donald Meikle]

You do not ever never want to hear me singing

[Woody]

well, now you've piqued my curiosity and I'd like very much to hear you sing :)
thanks for dropping in, Donald.

[forgotten_ghosts]

This poem gives me hope and strength to hope and to fight for freedom and peace in a world, which seems to get conquered by hate and fear. Most of the people who are as old as I am seem to notice the things that happen around them, but they don't show a sign of courage or the will to do something against them. Thank you for sharing this poem with us!

[Woody]

thank you very much F.G. if we do not wake up and do something about it, we're, no doubt, heading towards our demise.
thank you so much for stopping to read and review. I hope you took the time to listen to the song. have you noticed the link in the Author's note?

[fergul]

It's the ideal isn't it. trouble is with ideals is that humans ain't ideal.

fergul

[Woody]

you're right fergul. we can but keep on dreaming. one day in the distant future perhaps.
thank you very much for dropping in.

[James]

This si nice Woody. Great topic, fun read, flows like a song, if I had any musical talent I would try to put some music to it. Imagine what we could do if we all just came to gether!

[Woody]

hi James. thanks a lot my friend. yes let's continue hoping and dreaming. maybe our children will live in a better world.
pity reviewers don't always read the "Author's note". a fellow writer/singer turned the poem into a song. the link is in the note above. have a listen, see if you like it.

[James]

Ah , now I am embarrassed I did read the note but didn't pay attention to the link. This guy's talented reminds me of a 60's fold song gone electric.

[Woody]

yeah doesn't he sound a bit like Bob Dylan?

[paperfox]

Amen brother! ... This is my kind of poem. Made me think a little about how people feel the need to work to gain respect. I ONLY work for money myself. I gain zero respect from working lol.

[Woody]

hi paperfox. thanks for stopping by. I'm afraid I'm a dreamer like Lennon cos frankly, I'm not holding my breath for humanity in the near future.
we all work for money, unfortunately. that's how life is. all we need is love :)
glad this resonated with you.

[paperfox]

LOVE is the answer ... you're absolutely right man!

[Woody]

BTW did you listen to the song? a fellow writer/singer turned this poem into a song. I wonder what you'd think of it.

[paperfox]

I'm still finding my way around this site. So I'll need directions to it's location. I also have to go out for an hour or so. If you leave me some instruction, I'll gladly listen to it on my return. Music is my 2nd love :)

[Woody]

the link is in the "Author's note" above. take your time.

[paperfox]

Now I strum a few chords myself ( Just so I can sing a few simple songs ). But that guy singing your poem has a GREAT voice. It was all good in my neighbourhood. Excellent in fact! ... It made the World a little brighter just listening to it :)

[Woody]

haha so glad you liked it. to me, he sounded a bit like Bob Dylan

[paperfox]

He's of that ilk ... cept your friend has the better voice if real truth be told. And I LOVED the hippies. Cept I was a kid at the time. I missed out on all those hippy chicks lol

[Woody]

I'm obviously older than you so I do remember that period though I was very young at the time.
conclusion: not that old :)

[paperfox]

Age is as good as the life you've lived in it. Or more importantly, the way you think in it ... But age does bring extra wisdom. And I think the mind starts to chill again. Cos chilling out is having FUN ... even if ya just daydreaming your life away. Like I do lol

[Woody]

wise words from a wise fox :)

[paperfox]

I'm wise enough to know how little wisdom I have ... We are a collective species us humans. Together we can inspire the Creator. And that's the dream the hippies missed out on. To become truly FREE ... we've got to do it together. So we can ALL go to the party!
Ya see ... I'm as foolish as the next guy lol

[Woody]

haha nah far from foolish. in layman's terms: the more the merrier.

[Taylor]

In these days of such violence and suffering in the world, your "song" is a welcome one. My prayer indeed is that we can join ranks -- surely those who are moved by love must outnumber those who are motivated by hate. Thank you for holding up the best in humankind, models for us all to follow.

[Woody]

thank you dear Taylor. I won't lie to you. I'm dejected at the state of the world right now and yet I'm still clinging to a tenuous thread of hope.
imagine, America's going to be ruled by Trump!!!!!
always such a pleasure to see your beautiful orchid

[Taylor]

For some reason, Woody, Writerscafe won't open the "read more" section of your comments though I did see on the homepage your reference to the possibility that America might be ruled by Donald Trump. I just want to reassure you that it is a small segment of the American people who approve of him. Most of us are completely and utterly disgusted/appalled by him. Unfortunately the press gives him huge amounts of airtime because his antics "sell," attract viewers. I do think he'll wind up being the Republican nominee but I'm convinced Hillary Clinton will beat the pants off of him! Now that would be an ugly sight. If I didn't believe this, I would be despondent, utterly so.

[Woody]

that's good to know.
and I know the site does that sometimes GRRR.
have you listened to the song?

[Taylor]

Not yet, but I will soon.

[Woody]

take your time. wasn't sure if you saw the link in the author's note.

[Leo]

Has a nice melody to it..fresh positive and optimistic..I like your reference to exemplary world known leader, that gives your poem a unique twist..

[Woody]

hello stranger. long time no see! haha do you here this often? :)
thanks heaps for stopping by. glad you liked it. my first and only song.

[Leo]

anytime..it is Stanger ;)

[Woody]

hear not here :(

[Leo]

name is Stanger not "Stranger" lol

[Woody]

oh my, I'm so sorry. damn, I need new glasses, that's for sure. Stanger.