Thursday, May 22, 2025

PESSIMISM IS FOR LIGHTWEIGHTS by Selena Godden



Think of whose that marched this road before

And those that will march here in years to come

The road in shadow and the road in the sun

The road before us and the road all done

History is watching us and what will we become


This road is all flags and milestones

Immigrant blood and sweat and tears

Built this city, built this country

Made this road last all these years 



This road is made of protest

And those not permitted to vote

And those that are still fighting to speak

With a boot stamping on their throat


There is power and strength in optimism

To have faith and to stay true to you

Because if you can look in the mirror

And have belief and promise you

Will share wonder in living things

Beauty, dreams, books and art

Love your neighbor and be kind

And have an open heart


Then you're already winning at living

You speak up, you show up and stand tall

It's silence that is complicit

It's apathy that hurts us all


Pessimism is for lightweights

There is no straight white line

It's the bumps and curves and obstacles

That make this road yours and mine


Pessimism is for lightweights

This road was never easy and straight

And living is all about living alive and lively

And love will conquer hate.

                  Selena Godden, b. 1972 Hastings, UK

 

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