A State Of Mind
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Happiness is a state of mind
Told to those living a grind
Eupemisms for the unemployed
Who worry for families and lack of Joy
Preachers tell us not to give up hope
Turn to God to help us cope.

Faith is a state of mind
While we on earth bide our time
Conscious thoughts to ease the pain
And suffering of the sick and lame
A chasm between the haves and have-nots
Fills the void in a mind that blocks.

Humanity is a state of mind
Distilled by history from the beginning of time
Acts of kindness and inspiration
Interspersed with destruction and degradation
Contradictory behavior by a complicated people
Who tear down walls and blow up steeples.

Living is a state of mind
Make a choice between ridiculous and sublime
Give or take, it doesn't matter
Silence your tongue or continue to chatter
Live or die, blasphemy or rejoice
For time is real, we have no choice.

[By A. Keith Barton - Sunday, July 10, 2005]