Children of the World

Children of the world,
what wishes can I send your way
and what words of wisdom give?
And more, how can I make
these new and powerful- words and wishes to be
received with impact?

For even sagely advice,
poetic lines
culled from ancient texts-
have become time-worn,
stale.

You have been told, and often enough
"Be good, shun evil
and hold fast to integrity"
And for some, these words
have acted as a shield
but today,,
in this topsy-turvy world
even if all of the most kind-hearted
mothers were to gather
and plead with you,
would this hold your attention?

And if they were to beg you, saying:
"Pick up a book or a pen, a piece of paper, a guitar...
a tool- hoe or shovel, anything;
but never, ever a gun."
Would you take heed?
And I, myself, my words are but few-
all I can say is:
"Hold fast to childhood as long as you can,
for its days are fleeting- too soon past.