Look Around You

I wrote this story-poem when I first going to college at Ohio State University.  I remember riding my bike along a path by the Olentangy River to school.  One day I saw a man very sad and I decided to talk to him.  This poem/story is based on that interaction.

Picture:  My bike in front of Lake Erie,Edgewater Park

Look Around You, by Kirk Harrington

As I passed this way at the end of the day

The Path I usually take

I see a man with his head in his hands

And decide to stop  and find out what's wrong.

He explains that his life is out of control, falling apart 

And explains his recent troubles with job and family

And as he talks, a train passes by

And I notice its filled with people

All rushing to the same place

Blurred faces as they gaze at their watches

Going through the same routine and going to the same jobs

On the same train they took yesterday

And I tell this man

Look at the beauty of the river, the grass and trees

All of it speaks of a power above it all

Something beyond the everyday...

It speaks of love and light and hope

It's easy not to see it

But it's always there

Inviting us to see it and take in its beauty

And for a moment we both stop and look at it

And ponder the nature around us

And its as if time stops, the train stops

And the man stops crying.

He then agrees with me

And thanks me for pointing out the truth.