ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

HOPE.
© Ron Boughton Jan. ‘25

If truth was spoken, but quietly and clearly,
in this our world that is battered and torn
and if too, integrity was treated dearly
instead of mistrust, treachery and scorn!
Maybe then we’d see, a change for the better
where all respect becomes a two way street
and disappearing then would be the fetter,
and farewelled too, the political cheat!

And kama to despots, comes then collecting,
as for boundaries they’d had no respect,
with their aggression to neighbours reflecting,
their belligerence, of evil unchecked!
And every day, war creates in those countries
lIfe’s heroism borne of conflict’s defence,
where over the sights of many a gun sees
such wasted life that defies common sense!

And in this wonderful country Australia
It is a case of savouring the now
and hope we never see society’s failure
where indifference becomes a sacred cow!
And when to the fallen, we are addressing
and to all those who fought to keep us free
we must remember to count every blessing,
and, that torment again …never shall be!

Ah yes, Ron, very true - so much respect has been lost over time in so many ways and it's very sad. You've made good use of the prompts here, and these lines are most original: ..."and hope we never see society’s failure where indifference becomes a sacred cow!"

Hi Ron
I think it's fair to say that the world is in real mess at this present time,
and it'd hard to see lasting peace and tolerance arriving anytime soon.
There seems to be so many extremes and differing opinions tearing the world to pieces,
and the divisions are so deep it hard to imagine worldwide peace.
And even in this wonderful country of ours there are troubling indications as well.

As you have pointed out in your well written poem - and also made good use of the Prompts.

Terry

Good morning Catherine and Terry, and happy Australia day.
Thanks so much to you both for your kind feedback, much appreciated.
And yes it seems respect is hardly a part of society of late, let's hope it can make a return.

Cheers
Ron

Good one Ron - I share your thoughts on this - lack of respect and apathy seem to be the cause of most of the wrongs in our society at the moment IMO. I get the feeling that the world is going to hell in a handbasket as my old Dad would have said - the recent USA elections seem to confirm that. Sadly it seems that truth spoken quietly and clearly gets drowned out by the louder voices of dissension, hate, greed, racism mad plain stupidity

Thanks Maureen,
Yes it's certainly a concern just as to where it will all end up!
Cheers
Ron.