I was talking with a friend the other day and they commented on how much worse the world has become since we were young. (Yep, I’m that kind of old man who sits and talks about such things.) I said I don’t think the world is getting worse. I think we are just exposed to a lot more of it, a lot more quickly. It’s up to us, how much of it we internalize.

Today’s poem is about that.

All The News That’s Fit To Internalize

I dream of waking up someplace,

So far from anywhere.

There’s no bad news of any kind,

Too far to ship it there.

Imagine how sweet life could be,

No constant doom and gloom.

How bright your days, how light your soul,

If we gave fear no room.

I do not seek a perfect life,

A life devoid of pain.

I only want to step away,

‘Til you and I remain.

Then I would know these joy and fears,

Of mine are really mine.

And not some outside aggregate,

From TV and online.

Now as you live your life recall,

Life’s not dark as they say.

No matter how much dark is pushed,

Into your mind each day.

I have not found that someplace where,

Bad news cannot reach me.

Instead each day, I try to choose,

Just what my soul will see.

If I can learn to limit dark,

And elevate the light.

Then I will know more peaceful days,

And better sleep each night.

Cheers, Winston