Hurry Up! Poem by Rufus Rajanathan

I saw a bunch of grapes hanging from a vine
And wondered, "Why aren't you wine yet"?
Don't you want to be, harvested, crushed, pressed,
Fermented, aged, bottled, and branded?
Held up high in a glass and celebrated?
What good is it to anyone, just hanging up there?

I heard the deafening silence of a still lake
And wondered, "Why aren't you a river yet"?
Don't you want to be liberated, free, and move
Rush down the hills and valleys, and flow majestically?
Livening the land, trees, grass, and rest in the ocean?
What good is it to anyone, just lying there still and lifeless?

I saw dark clouds float wander lazily in the sky
And wondered, "Why aren't you a storm yet"?
Don't you want to be claps of thunder, lightning, decant
Drenching the land, roads, fields, and air?
Clean the earth, be the aroma of fresh earth?
What good is it to anyone, just floating up there?

I saw you with a sad, gloomy face standing there
And wondered, "Why aren't you smiling yet"?
Don't you want to be young, blissful, and joyous,
Exultant, cheery, jovial, and contented?
Make the life of everyone around you happy.
What good is it to anyone so young to be glum?

Isn't life too short? 😊