Conception Poem by Justin Phillips

Oh, pity Oh, joy,
that I should give this world that I should give this world
unto you, my child, unto you, my Child,
with its lies and temptations, with its wonders and spectacles,
its poverty and pollution its miracles and secrets
and pain. and splendor.
I would show you I would show you
the landfills, the oil spills, the sunsets, the rainbows,
the desecration. the inspiration.
We would walk in the day We would walk in the night
on busy streets on country roads
so we should not be caught so we should better see
unaware the stars
and helpless. and the heavens.
You would have a garden, You would have a garden,
watch the weeds creep in, watch your seedlings grow,
and find thorns upon the roses. and make a dandelion-wish.

Oh, pity, Oh, joy,
that I should give you that I should give you
unto this world, my child, unto this world, my Child,
that it should taint you, taunt you, that you should help it, heal it,
break your heart. mend its spirit.
It would teach you I would teach you
suffering, sorrow, deception, kindness, courage, charity,
the value of a tight fist the value of a soft word
and a tight wallet. and a soft touch.
You would know the stories You would know the stories
of Ted Bundy, of Mother Theresa,
and Timothy McVeigh, and Martin Luther King, Jr.,
and Bin Laden and Juan Mann
with his suicide bombers. with his Free Hugs.
It would make a sheep of you I would make a gift of you,
in a frenzied flock an Earthbound angel
without its shepherd. without its wings.

I wish I could give you I know you will make this
a better world. a better world.