“If I were a stone, I’d scream out ‘I’m alive!’

If I were a river, I’d let it be heard.

If I were a tree, I’d ask you ‘Why?’

But I suppose you’d answer with an incredulous ‘Why not!’

If I were the air, I’d ask you to be quiet.

Yes, you and your machines are much too loud.

You kill and you build and you plunder.

I still don’t think that’s what living’s about.

If I were an animal, I’d roar if I could.

Just to remind you that you’re an animal, too.

If I were a weed, I’d sway in the wind.

Try to say, ‘I dance and laugh more than you.’

If I were love, I’d try to find you.

I’d try to tell you to stop ‘reaching for the clouds.’

Because, in the end- as you build your skyscrapers and cities-

You’ll probably find a way to tear the sky down.

So, if I were a cloud passing by,

I’d ask you, just like the air, to be quiet. Try not to be so loud.

Try to take a rest from killing and building and plundering;

To realize that’s never been what living is about.”