If. . . .
I didn't know now
what I didn't know then
would I do things differently
and would the outcome
still be the same.

If. . . .
I can keep getting
back up after being knocked down
and laughed at
then I won't anymore
be a clown or wear
a frown.

If. . . .
I can bear
to hear the truth I have spoken
and I refuse to deal
with others lies then
it won't be I who
cries.

If. . . .
I can dream and
not make dreams
my master then
those dreams can
become reality
even when others
doubt me.

If. . . .
I can wait
and not be tired by waiting
because I know that love
will again be mine
and there will be
no more tears
for the rest of my
years.

If. . . .
I can remain strong
even after all is gone and rebuild
even better than before
I can even the score
and then I will get so much more
handed to me in time
and then I can write many more rhymes
for the world to read
and I will have filled my need
to write.

If. . . .
I can realize that my wisdom
is not a product of schooling
but of a lifelong attempt to acquire it
then I will survive
knowing that not everything that counts
can be counted and not everything
that can be counted
counts.                   Jon  York                 2012