What if...

What if I told you it can't be reduced
to the neat bullet points you desire...

What if I told you it wasn't a feel good tale
That in spite of my skin it isn't simply white
But a mixture of fire and hail

What if I told you I'd been an adult
Since the age of about three
That I have seen such scarring horrors
Children should never see

What if I told you I'd been raped by a woman
That I'd lived in the backstreets of Hind
What if I told you I'd killed a child
That I'd thrown all caution to the wind

What if I told you I'd been a king
The master of my own domain
That I once met Jesus the Super Star
And then got born again

What if I told you I'd betrayed him
Gone on a wide escapade
Astral traveled with Muslims and Pagans
And never was afraid

What if I told you I had links with terrorists
That I'd kidnapped my only son
What if I told in this thousandth saga
That my story'd just begun

What if I told you this prodigal child
Was a cat with nine plus lives
That in all my high risk taking
I never thought I'd survive

What if I told you I'm a bastard seed
Or that I am blind in one sorry eye
Yet in spite of my sordid history
I'm really a gentle guy

What if I told you my stepdad sold drugs
That I won Citizen of the Year
That I've robbed an old lady at knifepoint
But always loathed sports and beer

What if I told you I've worked at the Embassy
And preached a fine sermon or two
That I'd attempted suicide once before
And may just try it again too

What if I told you I carry heavy aches
And pains I never address
That behind my smile and good humour
Lie those hurts I can't express

What if I told you I've lost land twice
That I've survived a bombing in Asia
That I owe my government about 50 grand
And can't find F/T work in Australia

What if I told you I sailed on yachts
And dined on a la carte
That I have a big picture that could save the world
But don't know where to start

What if I told you I wanted more kids
And really do make a good dad
That knowing I don't have a stable home
Makes me ultra sad

What if I told you I'm real
I have flesh and blood just like you
But don't feel I'm worthy of life
Seriously, what would you do

What if I told you it's darker
Beneath the world's rabbit hole
That you've been lucky I held on so far
And didn't lose my soul

What if I told you that edifying the church
Is legit all that I'm able
But without a certain piece of paper
That won't put food on the table

What if I told you I'm not competent
In any other thing but love
That the only reply I keep getting is
"Love is not enough"

What if I told you it's pointless
That your pressurings are no use
That I simply can't meet your criteria
And ain't got an excuse

What if I told you that despite my age of fourty
I'm an toothless k9 that can't learn new tricks
That these designs to give me new skills
Will keep coming up with nix

What if I told you I'd had enough
That this drama has been too much
Would you shed shallow pitying tears
Or would you reach out and touch