The Rule

Originally written February 23, 2008

Years ago when I was young,
And enrolled in school.
In times of trouble,
I had a steadfast rule.
To outtalk a sensible man,
And outrun a fool.
But there were times when,
Deeds and words were said.
That made me want to bounce my fists,
Off somebody’s head.
So the two of us would square off and fight,
With fists, feet, and sometimes a head butt or two.
Then sometimes along the way we would,
Realize the only thing we had gained,
Was bruises, cut lips, and black eyes.
The finally one would say “That’s enough,
I’ll tell you what I’ll do.
If you want to shake hands,
I’ll apologize to you”.
So the fight would be over and at the end,
You would be surprised to learn,
You had made a friend.
I really feel sad today when I hear the news,
That fist and feet have been forgotten.
And guns and knives are used.
You wonder where in the world,
Did anyone get the belief.
That taking another persons life,
Would give anyone relief.
And we find after the killing,
The killer took his life too.
Leaving the world to try,
To find a way.
To get the “Golden Rule” ingrained,
Back in our logic for today.