Why?

I oft times ask the question
because it's an answer I seek
Why is it our world is like this?
I question it every week.

Why are the many faiths in the world
unable to turn the other cheek?
Why is it that our politicians
are guilty of much double-speak?

Why can we not be more faithful?
Why is loving just seen as weak?
Why is it when just being honest,
gets responses as if you're a freak?

Why are children still alone and untended?
Why do elders have an outlook so bleak?
Why does caring now seem so outrageous?
Are we frightened of offending some clique?

Why is it that faiths which have riches,
and condemn the world's poverty each week.
Are reluctant to spend any money
to help the world's poor – it reeks.

I wish I had some of the answers
to make the future seem less bleak.
But what can I do that would matter?
My best efforts could only but tweak.

So should I just sit and do nothing?
Or get on my high horse and speak?
Try and change a few minds with rhetoric,
or let the world go – with a squeak.

© Ian Lumley

Dear **Ian**: Strong rhyming helped pound
some caring straight into my ground.
We cannot but wonder
why things have to blunder
so badly few pleasures abound.

An excellent poem, Ian

As one gets older it seems so much harder to ignore the many injustices in the world.

It's also depressing to feel helpless about changing them.

Sometimes a troubling thought occurs to me that maybe the world is a worse place now than when we were younger.

And we might be leaving it to future generations that way.

Thanks for your introspective write.

Best,
Carol

Ian,
So many good questions you pose and unfortunately it's true, if we don't all band together and help out, it will only get worse. It does amaze me that most rich people do a lot less than some porr people, unless there is something in it for them. Good poem.
Your friend,
David Fox

Hi David,

There was a sad story about a guy who was a carpenter and his wife who are now homeless because their house foreclosed. During their lifetime they adopted 12 children and helped many more.

The celebrities put on a good show if they can get some media coverage for a cause.

It's interesting that even though the 'Occupy' movements have been taking place in cities all across the US, not one celebrity musician has come forward publicly to sing a song for the cause.

They have no idea what it's like not to get first class treatment for everything so they can't relate to it!

Missed thisone first time around As you know this is one of my own hobby horses it isgood to see others taking up the cudgels if sufficient poets wrote about it the world might improve and peoples attitudes might change
Another good read
Ian R.

An interesting despairing poem - and also yours too, Steve. And there is plenty to despair about. There are however glimmers of hope which we tend not to hear because the media focuses on bad news - the orchestra who unites Jews and Arabs, the charities braving trouble spots to bring aid, the setting up of food aid centres for those in need, those local groups who stand up against changes and band together to run their local pub/ local post office/ local town hall, the regeneration of some previously deprived areas. It is good to try and focus on those areas which need help. As individuals it is difficult to have much power to help, though we can and must encourage our own friends and families, but as like minded groups we can make a difference I guess, but only in small corners of the world. If each of us belonged/ formed one group to help and area of need, imagine how much help we wouldall be giving together. Indeed I bet many of us do do just that....it would be intersting to find out. Jo x

An interesting poem that raises even more questions.. the rich get richer... and the poor really do seem to be getting poorer.... and has anyone seen the pics of the vatican?.. all that wealth...
We all do our bit... but it needs something major to sort the world's problems out.

Yes, the Vatican is a place of amazing wealth!

I've always been so impressed by all those huge castles, palaces and museums that are scattered all across Europe and contain so many priceless treasures.

They seem to be everywhere, even in the smallest towns!

Such unbelievable wealth!!

Best,
Carol

An excellent poem with so much truth in it Yes why do the rich get richer and why do the poor people not.

Our world is certainly changing for the worst and I do believe when we were young ours was a better world than it is now Thanks for posting this wonderfuly poem of WHY'S