We tend to get dominated by the negative news and social media to the point that it is easy to forget and ignore the very positives that shape our world. Written in May 2020, when COVID was not making life any easier, this poem is meant to remind us of the possibilities and reality. Our responsibility is to make it more so.
I went for a long walk just the other day
I saw and heard many things along the way
Some made me cry; some made me sing
There’s more to do but we’re on the upswing.
There were wars spawned by ignorance and by hate
Bringing death and hurt, and meant to desecrate
But mostly there was peace throughout the land
Brought by acts of kindness and listening to understand
There were crimes of passion and of despair
Consequences of lives seeming beyond repair
But mostly there was justice and social intervention
Brought by caring and forgiveness that got my attention
There were millions of people who were sick or ill
Many with no hope for a future, or not even a pill
But mostly there was health along with social welfare
Brought by science, innovation and people who care
There were those with no food, not even for a snack
Some were homeless with only the clothes on their back
But mostly people were eating and had roof over head
Brought by generosity of sharing wine, fish and bread.
There was land waste, filthy water and polluted air
From years of neglect and people who did not care
But mostly there was air to breathe and water to drink
Brought by a growing respect and a commitment to think
There were peoples suffering from acts of discrimination
Limiting their access to learning and lifelong formation
But mostly there was the sense of being one with acts of fusion
Brought by recognition of the power of diversity and inclusion
There were those in positions of power and supposed to lead
Unable to see the greater good and motivated by greed
But mostly there were leaders with empathy and grace
Brought by an understanding of their role in the human race.