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.

[...]

Woody? Is it really you?...lol This is a fresh and deeply heartfelt philosophical side of you and yes I DO think it could be a great song :) Don't sell yourself short, I happen to think you are quite talented and certainly funny and who doesn't love funny????
I like it...let the sun shine in :) You're awesome!

[Woody]

you're so sweet lynn :) it's people like you that help restore my faith in the bashful poet that I am haha. thanks a bunch, Dear.

[Woody]

https://soundcloud.com/rodrigo-simas-713135019/woodys-wish

[Tom]

Compelling, heartfelt sentiment Woody,and nice to see the diversity in your pen. When good honest, hard working folk say nothing, evil prospers so solidarity and a united front against tyranny is a must for us all !

Beautifully penned flowing poetry and yes, these words would be perfect for a tune or song !

[Woody]

thank you, Tommy boy. you know, once in a blue moon, I'd get a little idea and dare to express it in verse, thinking hell, let them laugh. but I'm learning.
I wish I could write braille so I can send this one to Stevie Wonder. he can turn it into a masterpiece, methinks :)

[Woody]

https://soundcloud.com/rodrigo-simas-713135019/woodys-wish

[Tom]

Can't get into that link Woody, pity though, would love to here the song !

[Woody]

ok others encountered the same problem. found a roundabout way, though. if you really want to hear it. give me your facebook account (PM) I tried it. it worked fine.

[Tom]

Don't do Facebook Woody

[Woody]

no worries, Tommy boy. pity, though. I thought he did a pretty decent job of it.
have you tried typing "Woody's wish" in the search box? ach forget it :)

[Tom]

Yes, will try that & see what happens !

[-inactive now-]

Nice appealing structure with a fresh way of delivering a message of piece and love..
So did your son use these lyrics?

[Woody]

thanks a lot Josiah. you may have noticed that I'm more of a story teller than a poet.
my poetry is very sporadic. as for the message, I'm as appalled as the next man at what's happening today in every corner of the world. let's keep our fingers crossed.
sadly, my son's band morphed into a jazz quartet and said thanks Woody but we no longer need lyrics. *sigh*

[Stan Lee]

Ah well, no writing is in vain. least it's some poetry practice. Not saying you need practice. Seems like you're a genius in all fields of writing!!

[Woody]

haha sorry never notice this review. thanks for your encouraging words and faith in me Andrea.

[Frank]

Try some poetry writing Woody, I think you may be good at it. Been away for some time digging a new drive all summer.

regards

F.

[Woody]

thank you very much Frank and sorry about the late reply. I would've sworn I'd commented on your review. looks like I'm much older than I thought.
thank you for your vote of confidence. reading some of the poets here, including yourself, is not helping my faith in myself. can't help it. however, I'll keep posting the odd poem when inspiration strikes.

[jesserose99]

I like this, it has good flow...one verse into the next. i like what it has to say...a song with a message, always also a bonus. The repetition works too...a delightful piece of work!!

[Woody]

awwww thank you jesse. I do not consider myself a poet so your words mean a lot.
I mustn't give up!

[Beccy]

We have been hoping against hope for too long now Woody. This saddens, yet also inspires; the dream is not yet dead, but for sure it is withering on the vine. How sad that we are so blinkered.

Beccy.

[Woody]

thanks a lot Dear. yes isn't it a damn shame that we seem to be bent on destroying the very earth we live on? who's to say what's in store for us? or our children, more precisely. but, hey, drop the gloomy thoughts! let's enjoy life as best we can.

[Woody]

https://soundcloud.com/rodrigo-simas-713135019/woodys-wish

[Lydia Shutter]

I am sure your son's band will play this and it will become a hit! I remember "Abraham, Martin, and John" so well and I thought of that as I read your words. We CAN make a difference....if we persevere. Wonderful to read you, Woody. Lydi**

[Woody]

thank you so much, Lydi. I'm sure you know by now you realise what a great poet I am; haha; nah, I think I'd better stick to my silly stories. but thanks for trying to boost my morale :)

[Terpsichore]

I find it peculiar that the world is in such turmoil, as everything I understand about mankind is that the vast, vast, majority wish only peace and harmony to reign. I'm on the point of giving up and asking the higher hand to actually take a hand, rather than simply continuing to observe the mess we're making of this lovely place; 'cos for sure, we aint gonna do it ourselves.

Different to your normal writing Woody, but that different is good and deeply thoughtful. T

[Woody]

ta very much, Dear. I'm like you. I don't have much faith in the near future. I agree that the vast majority wish for peace but it's the minority that has the means to bring havoc to the world and they seem bent on doing just that.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

people don't get together for a cause anymore...apathy? technology? compartmentalization?

something is missing...the hand in hand, voice with voice...we strove for peace and love in the sixties...

but with Lennon and Martin...those dreams seemed to have died.

a heartfelt, moving write...i related so much to this one.

j.

[Woody]

thanks a lot jacob. yes the dream seems to have died. you only have to look at the state of the world around us. what a damn pity! a couple of weeks ago, a jihadist blew himself off on a bus in Tunis (the capital) and took with him 20 police officers. you may have heard about it. that came right after what happened in Paris. that removed any hope I'd been nurturing about the future.
I'm rambling, sorry.

[Will Neill]

I can never fathom the hate in peoples hearts to those who have did them no harm.
Will

[Woody]

thanks a lot for the visit Will.
God, I'm clinging to the hope that one day, perhaps, we'll wake up to find the world was put to rights. yet somehow, it feels like the countdown to something stupendous.

[Woody]

https://soundcloud.com/rodrigo-simas-713135019/woodys-wish