Too often I have traveled to a terrifying place
Whose guests suffer such loathsome disgrace.
Why I go there, I'll never understand,
Because it is absolutely the most disagreeable land.

It seems I am most tempted to fly there
When I get fearful, or tearful somewhere
Deep inside the emotional me;
When I am doubtful, or pouting or in adversity.

Sometimes I vacation there before some event that I dread
Or after something I misunderstood that someone said.
I can visit the Land of What-Ifs in any season,
It is such a short trip in my mind and requires no rhyme or reason.

Haven't you been there, too?
I think I saw you the last time you were blue!
Perhaps you'll recall
We were just there together after yesterday's trip to the mall.

Remember, we passed LA Fitness center on the way
And paused to wonder, what if? But we didn't stay.
Arriving at Macy's window figuring, What if we could buy all that?
What if I were a size smaller ... and your hair not so flat?

Passing by Zales, you questioned ... "What if he had bought me THAT ring?
Instead of this teeny tiny pitiful old thing!"
Then, I ran into my neighbor's straight A "perfect child"
And wondered, "What if my budding genius weren't so wild?"

Lastly, searching my wallet after all the money I spent
I pondered, "What if I hadn't been so generous and lent
Uncle Charles, Aunt Pearl, and Cousin Jenny
My extra 'hidden' hundred and twenty?"

Hey, dear friend, perhaps there is a better place for us to go.
Remember last Sunday's sermon by Pastor Joe?
He said, "There is always a table set with a full place
If you stay in the contented land of God's amazing grace!"

Copyright © by Sharon L. Patterson

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