E M P T Y

A son’s father brings him a glass of water

He asks the child

If the glass is half full

Or half empty

The child begins to cry

The problem upsets him

He says he does not know

His father pours the water out and says

Forget it

The child grows up

And all along, wonders

What the glass is

On his wedding, the man

Is asked by his wife

If he really loves her

The man begins to cry

The question upsets him

Why does she doubt I do

The wife slaps him

And drives off

The man grows old

And still, wonders

What the glass is

On his deathbed

His nurse comes in

And asks him if he would like some water

Before they take him off life support

He says yes, he would

The nurse returns with a glass of water

She has filled it halfway

She does not ask him

If it is half full or half empty

As he drinks the water

He realizes

That the glass isn’t

Half empty

Or half full

The glass has water in it

And water keeps you alive

So he poured the water out

Into a flower pot on the window

And said

Forget it