h'work w/e 23.9.19 - WHERE DOES CHARITY BEGIN?

[Maureen K Clifford]

WHERE DOES CHARITY BEGIN?... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

Statues don't move as we all know, but dogs it seems don't get that plot,
they'll drop the ball at granite feet, sit back and smile, and well - why not
for stranger things have happened surely on the most humdrum of days.
A statue to a dog looks human in so many different ways.

Sweet charity begins at home, or so we think - though it ain't true
for charity I've often found is offered rarely and to few.
The need for sustenance stands out, but seems that many cannot see.
God help us all, God help the world - pray tell where is our Charity?

He slumps, unkempt, unloved, unknowing on a park bench close to town
under the influence of life, or drink, or drugs - and people frown
when passing by, with some tut-tutting 'neath their breath,
and none seems really give a glance to see if live or close to death.

A shorter sentence I espouse - 'Please care' - for surely someone must.
Do what you can, no matter what for life to some is so unjust.
A dollar spared is just small change - but how small would it really be
if every person in a town gave just one dollar generously.

Big trees from little acorns grow, though these days they are rarely seen,
because worldwide we cut them down, their usefulness was not forseen
or not at least their long time use - trees acted as our own earth's lungs,
and with their passing we have seen an increase in air pollution.

It seems across the world today, a slowly creeping ill appears
a hypnotic somnolence oft' called apathy, unmoved by tears
or cries for help. "I'm alright Jack, and bugger you - I just don't care"...
until one day we too need help - and look around, find no one there.

[Catherine Lee]

Hear hear, Maureen! There is indeed a hypnotic somnolence all around the world today and everybody needs more awareness and to offer more care and kindness to others. I love how you begin this poem with the image of the dog dropping the ball in front of the statue!

[Shelley Hansen]

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (English statesman) 1729-1797

[Terry]

Hi Maureen
You have used the prompts well and woven a very good poem from them.
As for statures, dogs do more than drop the ball near them, and birds show no respect at all.

Cheers

Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you all for your positive responses - appreciated