I go to School to Learn

I go to school to learn
and the kids teach me
what I've forgotten
and what's been
drummed out of me
by the older adults
in my life.
My schooling is
for free, in fact, I even
get paid for it!
What a deal!
But kids are taught
to be intimidated by
authority (figures)--
to respect them--
at the expense of their
own soul, their own
innate wisdom.
It's a sad thing.
We're raising robotic
children to obey
and never question
or even begin
to think
(and to speak)
for themselves.
Such a travesty.
I go to school to learn
and the kids teach me:
love, kindnesss,
gentleness, caring,
enthusiasm,
curiosity, exploring,
delight in the wonder
of discovery.
I am so blessed!



© 2011 Gary Frates

Turning Over a New Leaf

I want to know the answers
to life's mysteries
to delve into truth
and bathe in its essence.
Who dictates the morals
of humanity?
How must we balance
humane, kind behavior
with our past
egregious errors?
Being willing to change--
to say we were mistaken
but we didn't know how
to do it any better.
Our egos will protest
Our pride will feel
miffed, possibly.
But did our life work before?
Let's yield to the new
energies which are here
on earth to help speed us
on our way to a new
planet in every aspect.
Then maybe the mysteries
will resolve themselves
in our new state of
heaven on earth--the
experience, not just the
aspiration.


© 2011 Gary Frates