Perhaps, it's not a good time to bring you into our world,
A world grown so wicked, wayward and wild
Where lives are cheapened by unbridled lust and greed;
A world darkened by quest for hegemony, and bloodshed
Where futile battles are incessantly fought
And precious lives are needlessly lost.
Perhaps, it's
not a good time to welcome you to our world,
A world grown so vile, vicious and vain
Where love takes a backseat to fame and gain,
Where one's pockets, color and looks make up his worth
Where God's image and likeness is oft-ignored
And brotherhood is but a hollow word.
Despite our fears,
we welcome you to our world.
We welcome you with earnest hope that the fibers
Of your being won't succumb to vainglory and worldly ways.
We welcome you with fervent prayers
That you will stand strong, undistorted, impervious
In this turbid sea of violence, vice, wiles and woes.
Dearest child,
welcome to our world; make it your own.
Infect it with your unblemished faith and spirit;
Infuse it with your God-given goodness;
Mute its mournful cries with your hopeful hymns;
Harmonize its colors with your unbiased strokes;
And light up its dark alleys, corners and nooks
With the flame that ignited God to create this world,
The same flame that brought you out into our world.
E.D. Montesa, Los Angeles, CA
13 August 2002
