The Willingness to Change

The Willingness to Change

When I was young and free,

And my imagination has no limits,

I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser,

I discovered the world would not change,

So I shortened my sights somewhat

And decided to change only my country.

But it too seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years,

In one last desperate attempt,

I settled for changing only my family,

Those closest to me, but alas,

They would have none of it.

And now as I lay on my deathbed,

I suddenly realize:

If I had only changed myself first,

Then by example I might have changed my family,

From their inspiration and encouragement,

I would then have been able to better my country,

And who knows, I may have even change the world.

(An Anglican Bishop, 1100 AD, as written in the Crypts of Westminster Abbey).

Kehendak untuk berubah atau The Willingness to Change, Sajak yang ditulis oleh seorang Biskop Anglikan dari abad 11,diabadikan di ruang bawah tanah Gereja Westminster Abbey di London, Inggris.
Walau telah berusia ratusan tahun, isinya tetap relevan untuk dsimak, khususnya dalam situasi bangsa dan negara ini,dengan semua implikasinya. Bayang-bayang gagalnya suatu pemerintahan pada masalah yang krusial; hukum sudah majal, keadilan menjadi buram.

Sumber tulisan: Soemarno Soedarsono ( sajak adalah sumbangan dari Bambang Utomo dari Griya Gagasan Cianjur).