17 Years and 4 Days

there is an open doorway
a place full of possibility
wonder
action
beauty

there is an open window
a place from which to watch
life
freedom
happiness

the children in the park
the parents at the beach
the friends on the couch

things that make this life worth living
enjoying

then there is the unexpected
the painful
tears
awareness
hurt

questions come
answers are far away

dreams
those which make us step foot outside
and look at the tree

curiosity
that gets us in trouble with mom and dad

hope

sometimes these things lead us
sometimes they get in the way of what is rational
but always they are there waiting wanting

a few actually keep these things close as they grow
mature
rationalize

a few dare to keep looking

and even fewer give their lives for them


May God Bless those heroes

Peace