Bobby
written January 2008
You like it here at nighttime best,
darkness a thing you hold to your chest
to keep your thoughts warm.
Sometimes you know you need
a healthy dose of what is real —
remember none of us can read
your mind even though we try.
But I can guess what you feel:
it hurts you that the world
is full of greed.
It hurts you that there is hate out there.
It hurts your heart that nearby
people curse and grieve
and scream and cry.
You are hurt so badly when you care.
But you cannot let that stop you,
the knowledge that no matter where
you go,
something miles beyond your control
is going down.
You have to know
this:
the fire in your soul,
though maybe it singes or burns you
when things are unfair,
also fuels your life and love
and reminds us that high above
the noise and fuss,
there are terrible wonderful
things out there.