If the sky was green would the trees feel blue?
If all hearts were sincere, what we say would be true
….
If nature was kinder, there would be fewer storms
If politicians cared more, they would bring about reforms
….
If hate speech was outlawed, there’d be no demagogues
If humans were nicer, we wouldn’t need dogs
….
If the world was perfect, it would be prejudice free
If that is to happen, it’s down to you and me.
Kicking a worn-out ball around the streets
The lucky ones did the same in a park
It was something to do with your mates
Better that having a lark
….
Jumpers or coats for the goal posts
Boots were your ordinary shoes
A ‘strip’ was out of the question
The oldest had the right to ‘choose’
….
The’ game’ itself had no special aura
Except the playing, and those you played with
This was the stuff of friendships
Building bonds, being collaborative
….
Then school taught the art of competition
Sides became teams and you needed to win
The result was what now mattered
The captain became the team kingpin
….
Commercialism entered the equation
The best could win money and fame
These became goals in themselves
The green-eyed god had its claws on the game
….
Fast cars, loose women, high living
Dreams of the working classes
A career for the few with real promise
Aspired to with rose tinted glasses
Racism is treating people as ‘others’
The opposite of acting like brothers
We are not designed to be the same
Whatever we are, we are not to blame
….
Is it part of the human condition
To want to establish our position
In some imaginary pecking order
‘Us’ versus ‘them’ from a historic border
….
It seems we have an inner need
Looking down on some other creed
To feel a bit better about our lot
Rejecting notions of a mixing pot
….
But assimilation is nature’s way
Differences, ultimately, become passé
Though bigotry and injustice may cause delay
All will be free to be who they are, one day
….
Until then, use well the power to vote
Campaign peacefully, equality promote
Practise humanity, value all life
Have empathy, turn your back on strife
As the dim, slate grey sky of morning creeps from the horizon
Whist birds cling yet to their roosts, waiting permission to sing
Listen carefully in the still air to the sound of dawn breaking
It is as real as you
….
Gentle zephyrs and eddies can be felt as birds and leaves start to stir
A low vibration hums electrically, almost imperceptibly in the air and through the ground
Light is changing, warming, as the first rays of the sun define individual clouds
A new day brings its promise to those who can look, listen and learn.
Each of us makes our way every day
Spending heartbeats, uncounted confetti
None can be sure of the length of our stay
On paths more knotted than spaghetti
….
Yet many hold their fate to be known
Faith tells them the final destination
This is their choice, their solid keystone
Let’s hope they do find salvation
….
But as countless planets suns’ orbits steer
Through space and invisible matter
What lives such as ours exist elsewhere
Would they, such beliefs, bespatter?
…
Might they argue that lifeforms, capable of morality
Should endeavour to co-exist in peace
Tolerance and respect, not divisive insanity
For the time we hold earth’s lease
I’ve been lucky to have had a wonderful life
Most of it with my lovely wife
She’s helped make true my dearest wishes
And doesn’t complain if I leave the dishes
….
Together we’ve made our own way up
Achieving more than I dreamed as a pup
We’ve travelled to places; seen many sights
Not had too many pointless fights
…
For our children, I pray for much the same
Without them seeking fortune or fame
Looking to themselves to make life good
Loving husband and wife through adulthood
We must get through this, pulling together
No cause to even consider whether
But what of the future, after the storm
What will be the post-covid ‘norm’?
….
When this virus has gone, before another arrives
People will pick up what is left of the lives
So much of what was usual before
Will not be so, for most any more
….
A vaccine would let contacts resume
There isn’t one yet, so let’s not assume
Jobs will have gone, shops and businesses lost
These will only be part of the cost
….
Public health weakened, treatments delayed
Diagnosis of new conditions simply not made
More children and adults with teeth decayed
Increased obesity for many not weighed
….
Councils struggling to make ends meet
Unemployed and homeless out on the street
Promised grants from an empty purse
Not enough to stop matters getting worse
….
Society itself will become more fractured
Less money about, fewer goods manufactured
A bigger gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’
Inequalities increased, demos and boycotts
….
Lost schooling reducing chances for many
A shrunken economy another enemy
We must stay united, support those in need
Act for the common good, then we’ll succeed
The wise do not wish for dreams to come true
For are not nightmares dreams too?
Success is feeling better about your self today than you did yesterday
Failure is never repeating this
All must pass through that fated portal
Which awaits in time every mortal
Build good karma whilst ere you may
The journey beyond will be yours one day
shippsblog.com 