Today I Understand..

Today I understand...
why my grandma taught me the Ten Commandments,
why my parents had to know every single place I went,
that growing up is different from growing old,
and why children should be taught the significance of truth,
rather than to simply do as they are told.

Today I understand...
why my brother said "just wait, you'll see"
in reference to how the years would fly by
and the dramatic effect it would have on me.

Today I understand...
why they're called wonder years and glory days,
& why you should stop & smell a rose or two along the way,
& not dwell on yesterday's heartaches or tomorrow's woes,
Just take each day as it comes, make the best of it & then let it go.

Today I understand...
that life offers zero guarantees,
& what's good for others may not be good for me,
& you never know what day will be your last,
But it could smack you right upside the head
if you're caught up in the past.

Today I understand...
How lucky I am to have family
and friends who truly care,
my health, my freedom,
my peace of mind, fond memories,
intelligence and beautiful hair.

Today I understand...
A little more than I did yesterday,
& that I have a lot to learn,
& that life truly is a gift,
& honor is something earned.

I don't understand..
Why people kill, children die,
or why the average person is so unaware.
I don't understand why people trust doctors,
And take drugs from which millions die every year.

I don't understand..
Why fashion counts, sex sells,
and why professional athletes make more than
nurses, soldiers, firefighters & teachers.

I don't understand..
Why rapists go free,
Why cops consider themselves cool,
How an unpaid traffic ticket can get you thrown in jail,
With vicious murderers, gang-bangers and drug dealers.
The justice system is absurd.

I don't understand how people cannot see the truth,
About the ill-conceived greed that is poisoning their food,
Weakening their bodies and their minds,
So they will be more willing to give up their freedoms,
And believe the endless lies.

I don't understand..
Why people don't open up their eyes,
And use their brain more than they do,
Instead of believing everything they're told,
And frankly I don't know what to do.

I can't save the world.
For years I tried,
All it got me was in the hole,
Tired and patience tried.

If I could I'd take away all the world's pain,
And banish evil across the board,
I'd feed the animals, teach the children,
Comfort the hurt and house the poor.

But I've learned I can't do much afterall,
The world is much bigger than I thought,
And I can't imagine what people think about,
All my endless hopeless thoughts.

But for me to not care is to not be worthy of life,
And I don't understand how so many others
Can take all of this in stride.