Sometimes I wish I were a cop 

Maybe then I could make the world stop 

Most definitely the guy on my route to work this morning who was going 45 in a 25 

Weaving in out of cars like maybe he was dreaming 

Or maybe it was the effects of Ambien 

We met at the stoplight and I wanted to ask him 

What meds is he taking? Why’s his music so loud? Why’s he rush around?

And I’m sure the lady across the street would love to stop 

She runs around to appointments, school, activities, the store 

And she works from home in between 

Is there anything she can drop?

The mortgage? No 

What about her boyfriend, where’d he go?

Does he ever stop?

If he did, he could lend a hand to mop 

And if I could pause maybe I wouldn’t be at such a loss 

As to why the world is how it is 

Why people take drugs and leave their kids 

Could I give out tickets for what I deem to be travesties?

Could I wear my badge with ease?

My red and blue lights would flash all the time 

And I’d surely in a few days lose my mind 

Patrolling what’s wrong 

Trying to understand the human psyche 

It would be frightening 

As I stop to write this 

I’m delighted – to consider that beyond the flashing lights, the errands, the pharmaceuticals

A purple hue is in sight 

And it’s apparent 

That we’re all beautiful 

Despite this mess 

I’m not authorized to give tickets 

Or to tell anyone to wear their seatbelt or to slow down

No matter how bad it gets

I’m not sure how it felt to create the universe and to watch it fall apart 

But I’ll clean my room and drive the speed limit 

It’s a start 

And live a quiet life here in this town