After Lawrence Ferlinghetti

I am waiting
for the day when time turns back
when the trees become small again
and when we all grow short
and when the clouds float freely in the wind
and I am waiting
for the cherry blossoms to close
for the leaves to rise
and for the stream to flow back to the mountains
shrouded in mist
and I am waiting
for the bird’s cage to burst open
and for the swallows to spread their wings
in a snowfall of feathers
that are swept away with the gale
that thrashes against the sea
and I am forever waiting
for the butterflies to come to me

I am waiting for the day
where we all see ourselves as humans
neither higher nor better than the other
and I am waiting
to see us all hold hands
and work to bring even a single moment
of sunshine into another’s life
and I am waiting
to see the knives be dropped
and I am waiting
to see the hugs
and I am waiting
for the day when everyone can be taught
the tongues of the wind

I am waiting
for the blues to lash out
and I am waiting
for the greens to flood the world
and I am waiting
to see the red burst into the sky
not as a symbol of blood or violence
but as a symbol of omnipresent love
and I am waiting
ever waiting
for the day when no longer are dreams
simply foolish
little wishes
based on the whimsical, petty desires
of the human race

I am waiting
for the rain to fall
on the dusty deserts that have seen neither sun nor smile
and I am waiting
for the floods
from the rivers that have known neither rain nor kindness
and I am waiting
for the fires
in the forests that have met neither oxygen nor hope
and I am waiting
to grow up
so that I can spread my fingers and reach the world

I am waiting
and I am waiting for the past
and I am waiting for the future

I am waiting
and I am waiting for life
and I am waiting for death
and I am waiting for the first and last breath

I am waiting
forever waiting
for the morning to end
and for the stars to shine
in the endless abyss
that is the heart of mankind