If I Were in Charge of the World

(a form change poem with thanks to Judith Viorst)

 

If I were in charge of the world,

I’d cancel dinner, all the time, and also all the wars and the killing.

If I were in charge of the world,

There would be more Joshuas,

More projects and science,

And lots of caring and friends.

If I were in charge of the world,

You wouldn’t have sickness,

You wouldn’t have sin,

And you wouldn’t have lying words.

If I were in charge of the world,

fruit loops would be a balanced meal.

All people would be good like God.

And a person who sometimes didn’t flush

Or eat all of their dinner,

Would still be allowed to be

In charge of the world.