Elsewhere

In class now, I ponder life and its meaning.

Through one narrow hallway in my mind

I listen to a lecture on English history.

Down another corridor, I’m thinking

of Saturday night’s dance,

and,

Yes, we won our Homecoming!

I’m studying cowboys and their lariats.

I’m hearing more on King Arthur.

I’m thinking of the rain outside, and the friends nearby me—

Perhaps their minds are elsewhere too?

Suddenly it occurs to me;

that with wars in Israel,

starvation in Africa,

plane crashes and hurricanes,

death and wondrous life,

I’m here, amidst it all,

and God’s infinite mind still heeds my feeble call.