we're all on wheels
and we all roll
never staying long
in the same place
always searching
for that better destination
that one place that's just
a little bit better
than this place
and that will, ultimately
lead us to that next place
where we must go
in order to get to
the place after that!
you know what i mean?
everything rolls!

we are rolled in our buggies as babies
as we take our first wisp of life
oh so new and exciting!
buggies make way for wagons
when we learn to stand on our feet
and the wagons carry all our stuff
to help us learn and to help us grow
then we roll around on our bicycles
faster and faster we go and go
right through childhood in a blink of an eye!
where did it all go?
and then we roll into our teen years
and we jump for joy as
father hands us the keys
to our very first car!
now we're rolling in style baby!

and into adulthood we go
and into this vast network of wheels
that keep our life moving forward
from conveyor belts to shopping carts
to trucks and busses and trains
even planes have wheels
to help them soar into the
most beautiful blue sky
(at least i hope there's still blue)
and the highways they stretch
as far far as the eye can see
all twisted and turning and
just looping around and
looping around

and they all run on a power
a power we don't quite understand
a power called fuel
more valuable than gold itself
we want it we need it
just got to have it
and if we don't have it
we'll get it
no matter what it takes
and the fuel causes anger
greed war pollution
death...
the one thing
that all the other cars
do make room for on the road
are the wheels on a hearse
yes...people die for their wheels
every day
and don't think a thing about it
because it is a necessary evil
in order to keep the vast network
of wheels moving that
keep our coolective lives humming along
always seeking those exciting new destinations
we need to make some sacrifices
along the way....right?
and what did that squirrel
flat in the middle of the road
who only rolled on the power
of his own two feet
really do to deserve
to make such a sacrifice?

yes the wheels don't always run smoothly
they get caught up in a lot of things
religion politics social unrest
things you wouldn't expect
a wheel to roll into...
but we need those wheels
we need to move
we need to progress

perhaps...methinks in
my most humble ignorance
it is time to rethink the wheel
to design it to roll with nature
somehow
instead of against it
to roll alongside the
many elements that make up this life
instead of over them
is that even possible?
or am i just a child who
doesn't understand
that in order to make
the perfect omelet
you have to crack a few eggs
and in order to have the
smoothest roll possible
you have to put up with a few bumps

I look over the vast network
of freeways, with all the big wheels
rolling around racing and honking
and claiming their rightful place
on the road,
from high atop a grassy hill
perched on my little bicycle
so insignificant
compared to all that
and i know that
in many ways we do need it
and i know that i, too,
enjoy the many benefits
of this modern life
(i write as i click upon
this computer keyboard)
and i realize that i, myself,
do not possess any of the answers
that we so desperately need
perhaps...
we need to change the questions...?