THE FIRST THOUGHT
 

When we meet another,
we are taught to smile,
to offer a sincere hand,

This is a new opportunity,
at making a new friend,
of this we all understand.

This is God's teaching,
to treat another as you,
would like to be treated,

To be open and honest,
let a friendship build,
we all know that friendship is needed.

The times seemed to have changed,
for today it is all different,
instead of open, honest and smile,

We lie first, so we won't be lied to,
we stab first, so we won't be hurt,
agree and smile, lying all the while.

The first thought should be good,
it has changed to bad,
the first thought should be trust,
now it is all so sad,
the first thought should be believe,
not all the pain we've had,
the first thought should be friend,
now deception makes people glad.

The first thought has all reversed,
everyone is so defensive,
no trust and no belief,
no caring and no hope,
no compassion and no conscience,
no regret and no feeling,
no concern and no time,
and then people wonder,
WHAT has changed!

Each wants to be first,
to hurt, to lie,
to stab and hurt,
to take advantage, and mislead,
to beat everyone, at everything,
let the chips fall where they may.

The first thought in life,
was once a good, happy thought,
today it isn't happy at all,
though people still go to church,
people still pray,
why has all this changed,
if people still do those things?

The first thought should be love,
how can we help one another,
what can I do to make your life better,
I'd like to tell you I care.

I made a rule many years ago,
that I apply to my life,
that I will believe and trust everyone,
until they give me reason not to..
I have been hurt many times,
many have cheated and lied,
i could easily sit in pain,
and give all my hope away,
but I choose not too,
and I still am the same way.

The next new person I meet,
doesn't pay the price,
of pain I received from the last,
life doesn't work that way.

Each day is a new day,
each person is a new person,
each encounter is a new encounter.

You can't carry hurt around,
nor can you carry pain,
throw away doubt and mistrust,
they are not fair to you,
they are not fair to me,
they are not fair to life.
 

©Written by: Ed Kassirer
July 12, 2001