If, Such a Small Word!

As a child my mother when confronted by the word ‘if’ as a stipulation

Would always have at her disposal the following quotation,

“If a toad had wings,” she would say, “he wouldn’t bump his backside.”

This was her way of helping when there was something we could not decide.

‘If’ is a small word but it has a colossal meaning for it means a condition.

It says this fact has a rider, a proviso or a special qualification.

An instance of this is as follows… if I had but said, “I’m sorry,”

The last time my wife and I had angry words, I’d have no worry.

Better yet, if I had but thought before I retorted with angry words

Or if men had worked out their differences instead of taking up swords

How much better the world would be ‘if’ only we stop all hate.

‘If’ only as a prerequisite we had considered the impact of what we state.

How much more happiness would we find that could be of our own making.

‘If’ only we had better foresight we would be aware of paths we’re taking.

‘If!’