What If?

I shudder to think
what it would mean
if the president wore paint
if a prostitute was queen
what would happen then
how would the world change
if thick became thin
and the world was rearranged
if the rains brought down the moon
and daylight was feared
and the sun rose too soon
and then just disappeared
if dogs became kings
and the pope chewed gum
and hobos had wings
and god was a bum
if houses became trees
if flowers turned to stone
and there were no families
and people lived alone

if buildings started laughing
and windows cried
and feet started clapping
and out came inside
the mountains fell in slivers
and the sky began to bleed
and blood filled up the rivers
and prisoners were free
if the stars fell apart
and the ocean dried up
and the world was one big heart
and decided to start
the children grew up happier
and they could run with the wolves
and they never felt trapped
or hungry or unloved
and cats walked on water
and birds had bank accounts
and we loved one another
in equal amounts


--lucinda williams, "what if?"