The Other Side

A few months ago I read an article in Reader's Digest.  I don't remember the name of the article, but it inspired me to write this poem:

The Other Side

There, on the other side of the fence, the grass is greener.

There, on the other side of the fence, people hurry through the green fields,

Trampling the patches of golden sunflowers in between.

They’re too busy; they have something else to live for.  Maybe it’s more 

important.

There, on the other side of the fence, no one drinks and no one cheats.

At least that’s what they show to us.  Who knows what really happens.

There, on the other side of the fence, it is always sunny and the clouds

Never frown at you.

There, on the other side of the fence, there is a big red barn

Where all the animals live together in peace and harmony.

There, on the other side of the fence, no one fights and no one swears.

Everyone has money.

So there, on the other side of the fence, there is perpetual happiness.

Or so it seems.

Here, on my side of the fence, there are dark clouds, rain,

Fights, tears, outbursts, penniless people, deaths, deadlines

And no ice in my darned soda.  It’s too hot outside.

Here, on my side of the fence, if you just glance at it for a few seconds, there is only misfortune.

But if you look closer, you will see that here, on my side of the fence, people’s problems make them stronger,

They realize that adversity is necessary for success,

And that everything isn’t really a bed of roses.

If there are no problems, how will they push their boundaries?

How will they touch the stars?

On my side of the fence, people grow as they face challenges.

On my side of the fence, people lead fuller lives.

On my side of the fence, there is darkness, but there is also room for light.

After all, what is good without bad?  What is light without darkness?

On my side of the fence, people do their best to bring that light into the lives of others around them.

On my side of the fence, we try our best to earn money, but we also try our best not to be superficial.

On my side of the fence, happiness and misery co-exist.

Now, imagine if someone tears the fence down, and my side and the other side isn’t really there anymore.

Will they become like us, or will we become like them?

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