Actual
(to youth)

What kind of world
Should we leave you

Not the world we’re leaving you

Some say to move back in time
To former greatness

Such greatness not existing
Not in hindsight’s
Either

And
Anyway
Who has a time
Machine

Because the river has moved on
And we can’t wade
In the water
That was

I think the world as is
Is what you’ll get
And everyone in charge now
And everyone who’s silent over it
Should
Apologize
Even
Try to get as many things right
Before it’s fully yours
Though in part
Already
Naturally
It’s yours

If we can do this
Make a few things better
Not by war
Not by pollution
Desecration
Death of character

If we can change things
In a peaceful
And productive
Way
Even a loving way
	The real way of love
	The strong way

Well
That would be something
Not nearly enough
For letting things get this bad
Already
But something
Something of a better place
To leave you

C L Couch


Photo by Lil Mayer on Unsplash
"What are we going to do with all this future?" [for translation programs]