homeless in the park

what happened along the way?
once you were new, fresh
covered in your mother¹s dew
what happened to you?

what happened along the road?
what twists and turns
took you astray
into your anger
into your pain?
what happened to you?

when did it get all mixed up?
once it was straight
it was clear as mountain air
clear as waking at dawn
when did it all get wrong?

why isn¹t it easier?
why can¹t it just be safe
to breathe, to love, to learn?
who made the rules
that weaken us as we age
that do not reward us
for our time?
who made the rules?

by larry harpel