I Once Thought I Could Change the World...

I once thought

I could change the world

a kid

so naïve

wanting to be a hero

help move mountains

feed the hungry

give of myself for the greater good

then life happened

and the fire of those dreams died

the winds scattered the ashes

my eyes glazed over

there I sat waiting

waiting for something to stir

in that moment

I saw her

her smile was like a sunrise

heard her whisper gently

yet confidently

“life happens, but we go on”

and her words stirred embers

I long thought cold

my mind quickened

my body grew stronger

my heart longed for another day

and now

now I think I just might be able to change the world

even if it starts by simply changing me

thank you, dearest friend

you helped me see

again…

 

Reviews

[...]

there I sat waiting
waiting for something to stir
in that moment
I saw her
her smile was like a sunrise
heard her whisper gently
yet confidently
“life happens, but we go on”
and her words stirred embers
I long thought cold
my mind quickened
my body grew stronger
my heart longed for another day
and now
now I think I just might be able to change the world
even if it starts by simply changing me


... this is was an immense surprise from you, Craig, especially the lines i've quoted ... i was ... of course ... expecting you to participate in this contest ... and i knew that you would've written something special because we share the same dreams for a better universe ... but you simply shattered glass with this verse (poem) ... the earnestness ... the innocence ... the diffidence ... and yet the confidence ... of this verse is awe-inspiring ... with such lucid lines ... and a moving and enchanting narrative ... you've given us all an important message ... clear ... straightforward ... but more than all of that ... it's all heart ... the anatomy of a simple but substantial transformation ... and yes it begins with ourselves ... if we can't practice what we preach we might as well give up practicing and preaching ... this is a beautiful image of the theme of our contest ... yes, it is about empowering ourselves ... and yes ... that is precisely where the journey begins ... it's tough and requires a lot of courage and resilience ... but it's a step and once we take that step we only emerge stronger ... in a better position to change the world ... this verse (poem) is mesmerizing and motivating at the same time ... it inspires ... it inspires one to have the courage to aspire ... thank you so much for writing this and thank you for sharing it ...

(serah)

[Desert Dreamer]

I believe we can change the world, and we must stand together and let each other know they are not alone, this gives us strength. If each one of us works towards change, we can do so much.

[EmpressPoetess]

Awesome, tender, loving. I love it!

[emmah]

the most appealing quality of this verse is its honesty - there is a truth that resonates through the verse, starting with the title. it is a truth that is true for many, but only a few, perhaps, would attempt to express it! it takes an immensely honest voice to render this lovely verse!
the journey from the belief that anything is possible, to the darkness of losing the faith, and the resurrection of the faith, with a little help from someone who believes in one, even when one cannot see through the dark, is so beautifully narrated, so poetically told that it is overwhelming!

"wanting to be a hero
help move mountains
feed the hungry"

shining glimpses of the potency of the dreams that had been kindled and cherished!

"then life happened
and the fire of those dreams died"

and life does happen - things and people and actions that corrode the purity of what we believe in!

"heard her whisper gently
yet confidently
"life happens, but we go on""

sometimes, that's what it takes! for someone to say, gently, yet confidently; simply, yet brimming in profundity, the one thing that tilts the balance - the one thing that lets the spirit rise again and the soul dream again.

"now I think I just might be able to change the world
even if it starts by simply changing me"

brilliant! if there is any single way to start changing the world, it is, only by start changing oneself!

i loved this verse, for the truth it tells, for the faith it gives and for all those lost in the dark, who need someone to tell them "life happens, but we go on" - it really does say it - gently, yet confidently!

[emmajoy]

A calm reflection on what's happened, not happened and what is happening ..
is the word 'retrospective'?

Don't most of us go through a time of sitting back on our heels and doing little, thinking but not acting, planning but not completing things .. it happens.

More important is the waking call that comes from self .. that shows spiritual and thoughtful strength and .. that's what counts..

[Sean M. Addams]

this is such an amazing write... very inspirational and moving piece... liked the imagery in this too..overall a very brillant piece..nice job!!!

[cest la vie]

This is such an inspiring, hopeful peice. I too have felt the "fire in my belly" wither out. Yet, something or someone reminds us that we CAN make a difference, a change. Thank you for writing such an important piece about believing once more.

[Alaska Frost]

Absolutely spectacular....

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

This is truely beautiful Craig. A very lovely well written piece. Thank you for sharing. Debileah