It Takes a Brave Naïveté

Athens, Georgia

February 2, 2012

It takes a brave naïveté

to have much hope for humankind –

we weave our souls with strands of gray.

Ideals unused too soon decay;

to trust their hold on life is blind

and takes a great naïveté.

In justifying lies each day

while dreams of peace and love unwind

we weave our souls with strands of gray.

Yet blessed saints who calm the fray

and face down hate by staying kind

display such brave naïveté

That so inspired we boldly say

we’ll work to heal the world, but find

we weave our souls with strands of gray.

We see in life a noble way

and pray to leave our past behind –

we crave a brave naïveté

but weave our souls with strands of gray.