What and why
By Rick Davis
Glenwood Springs
What and Why are two questions that I sometimes ask myself
When I was much younger, I would ask myself the usual questions
“What is life about, and Why am I here?”
This was asked when I first woke in the morning and
as I lay my head down at the day’s end.
I would wonder about this during my really good days
and also the times when storms brewed
“What and Why”
I never really found any answers, although I did gain some insights
Slowly, as I aged, and the years stacked behind me
that question became less important
In mid-life, I asked a different “What and Why”
What is compassion and why is it important?
This lead me on a quest that lasted many years,
a journey of self discovery and renewal
I came to understand that compassion was the opposite of pain
One made me selfish and self absorbed,
the other set me free
I learned that before I could really have compassion for others
I needed to have compassion for myself
This was a hard lesson as I had deemed myself not worthy
I have cried myself to sleep many nights, over the “what and why” questions
For what and why is there war?
Why are people homeless? Why do they go hungry?
Why do children suffer? Why do the innocent pay such a high price?
Why does both religion and government serve itself,
but neglects the real needs of the people?
Why is truth not a simple, tangible thing, but molded and twisted?
What and Why
As I have grown older, my earthly vision has grown worse
My eyes are dimmer and I don’t see with the clarity I once did,
but my inner vision has grown stronger
I see some things so much clearer
People are fearful, afraid of life and terrified of death
The promise of something greater is falling on fewer ears,
The hope of a better tomorrow has been all but shattered
We can only get through this together,
hand in hand,
lifting the others up,
carrying another when they need help,
and allowing yourself to be carried, when you need help
To care
To love and be loved
To share all that we have
and all that we are
This, for me, is the what and the why