I wonder how society would look
if every individual were smart,
if all derived their knowledge from the book
of life, devoting time to love and art,
and each unique as marketing implies.
Imagine hordes of heroes, brilliant kids,
sagacious parents, every teacher wise,
and little use for bell curves, tests or grids.

I wonder if each baby holds a bud
of heroism in her infant cells
that needs a catalyst to find its gear.
We seem like desk-bound soldiers with the thud
of war outside; flak-jacketed and well-
protected, mostly all we feel is fear.