Wednesday, December 27, 2023

A Toast to the Other Side



Change your mindset, learn to adapt 
Appearances are never what they seem 
That's why, whenever we're feeling trapped 
Human beings like to dream 
 
When we're repeatedly drawn toward news
With the battle lines marked in the sand 
Making it seem like we have to choose 
Just remember our nation's last stand 

Was the night before and the day before that 
To be in agreement is not in the scheme 
Because the fire that keeps us united 
Remains part and parcel of our theme 

Keeping the state of things perpetually molten 
To be shaped to our needs every new day 
So just as soon as you feel your mind revolt 
From poised and perfect balance, listen here:



Remember there's one thing we all can do 
Repeat after me, "What was it they said about opinions?
And that thing about keeping an open mind, too?
We all have the choice to rise above our dominions

So long as we're true to ourselves without any fuss 
Making our decisions without having to shout
"Have a little faith in one another because
Things have a way of working themselves out

We don't actually need to see eye to eye,
For a country divided is by definition united 
Even if that's something we can't recognize 
Don't let ourselves get exasperated 

There's plenty left over for us to be delighted  
The world may be an oyster, but this land is our cup 
The workers we employ have all been invited 
To keep this grail of ours filling up  



All the good our country has done can get blurred
Over time in our minds until it just seems absurd 
That's why we remind ourselves, "take a deep breath." 
Everything's happening naturally and gaining force 

If you start thinking outside the box you'll see our course
Flows onward in a process of constant checks from each side
Regardless of our opinions, we're here together on this ride 
Ask yourselves just once each and every day

"Just what are we going to do about it?
It's up to each one of us who confronts their own ego 
To reprioritize what we hang onto and choose to let go 
I'll give you a hint even as it's strewn through this verse

There's no mistaking how to prevent things from getting worse:
This picture we've each formed remains all in our own mind 
We mistake this assembly for a "truth" we can find 
When in irrefutable reality there's always a bigger picture 



We can't ever see clearly due to our own perception's stricture
Until we each realize that the so called "problem out there
Remains a perpetual illusion caused by our brain's software 
And the actual dilemma facing each one of us stares back 

From the mirror every morning we reload for a fresh attack 
The least we can do for each other is admit it: 
We thrive on discordance, contention and strife 
It's the fuel that keeps driving us forward in life!

So with that spirit of America we forged not long ago 
I raise up my glass just to offer this toast: 
"Here's to my enemies and those on the other side
Cheers to your energy, spirit and drive; for without you, 

At least I am willing to testify, we would have lost long ago 
And been swallowed by the tides of a relentless world 
That needs us exactly as much to live on this Earth side by side 
Just to keep fueling that fire which keeps us all alive." 


                                                                        for Peter Herman