Last Call
...inspired by 'Reveille' by Joseph Brodsky
Songs unsung will disappear,
as breathless as a stone, the fear
of Armageddon fills the air
and gathers strength against the prayer
that withers, fizzles into nought,
despite the lessons we were taught
to love our neighbours as ourselves,
not disrespect our worthy lives,
or take His name in vain, the strain
of bleeding from another's pain,
the art of empathy forsaken,
carefree paths so quickly taken
Thoughts are squandered, so are souls
who sanctify disparate goals
and chase false dreams on sand consigned,
the facts misjudged and misaligned.
Cause and effect, a law of nature,
who to kill and who to nurture,
what to crucify or kiss?
the measure of our helplessness.
There is no try, there's only do,
and I'll expect the same from you,
to strip away dishonesty,
the hallmark of our misery.
To live in love and purity
we'll neutralize our enmity
and join together, hand in hand,
no hurtful lies, no contraband.
The answer lies amongst the stars
unnumbered in the universe,
a child's first breath, the blushing rose,
where hatred cannot interpose.
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