by Jeremy Wayne Couch
When you or I are walking down the street
and someone else comes walking towards us
we are very careful our eyes don't meet
as though we are afraid such contact
would turn us to stone.
But one day, someone took a chance
and did more than secretly glance,
and for a brief while
two strangers shared a smile.
And though the world
did not completely stop,
something magic happened--
something went "Pop!"
For the rest of that day,
though some people died,
no one was murdered
or committed suicide.
Some people bought drugs,
but no one died of an overdose.
Some crimes were committed,
but none too cruel or gross.
Some turned their backs on God
and chose the path to sin,
but others prayed on bended knees
and had their sins forgiven.
Some kids went to school
carrying books and knives,
but for some unknown reason
they spared their teachers' lives.
Some fathers took their belts to their sons
and for hours some babies
were left all alone,
but no children went to bed that night
with freshly broken bones.
While supposedly playing golf
some husbands had affairs,
but at least for this one day
their wives were blissfully unaware.
And all the children without food
and all those in the cold
were given teddy bears or puppies
or dreams and hopes to hold.
And though the violence
did not entirely cease,
it was a time
of relative peace.