I want to live in a world where the past tense, the present tense,
\nand the future tense\u2013all avoid pre-tense.<\/p>\n
I want to live in a world where the future protects the past\u2026
\nand, where, without question or doubt, the past protects the future\u2026
\nthis may be the greatest present we may ask for.<\/p>\n
I want all of the best dreams of all ages to be the \u201cour story\u201d of the future.<\/p>\n
I want all the horrors of all our pasts to be forgiven,
\nmiscellaneous errors of ignorance\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.
\nmiserably multiplied by unmitigated arrogance.<\/p>\n
I want to live in a world where no child will ever ask why did you save my life?<\/p>\n
I do not want to live in a world where children ask us,<\/em> ________________________<\/p>\n Dr. Noel David Burleson is an international civil servant focusing on peace, ecology, girls education, water, population and development. As retired UNESCO advisor to UNICEF, he writes with his duonym \u201cdavid inkey\u201d. After receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard in Social Relations\/Social Anthropology, he served as a consultant on family planning and population issues to the International Labor Organization, World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. He is the self-appointed president of Antarctica University and was three times named (by colleagues) the UN Philosopher. Until the UN finds time to name its own Poet Laureate, he assumes this role, as well. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nthe well-fed, the educated, the healthy, the rich, the powerful,<\/em>
\n\u201cinnocent questions\u201d for which I have no innocent answers.<\/em><\/p>\n