Broken World

This is an unusual poem for me but stems from the frustrations of seeing the resources of our world plundered with no thought for tomorrow and also the unfair and inadequate distribution of the world's wealth.  Not wealth as in money but as in food and water, aid which goes astray and does not reach those in need.............we hang our heads in shame.

Broken World

Oh broken world, your head is bowed

And like a river flow your tears

When you consider all the damage

By mankind's actions through the years

Oh broken world, your natural laws are toyed with

shortsighted humans glibly pay no heed

Tomorrow's issues seem of no importance

“Live for today” appears to be our creed

We've pulled down trees, destroyed vast forests

We've used the oil, and seas polluted

The habitat of many species

Has been torn down and plundered, looted

Our selfishness, our self importance

has left us vulnerable and weak

with nature's wisdom disregarded

Our planet's outlook's rather bleak

Oh broken world, your pain is endless

Day follows night but light is sparse

Whilst politician's shuffle paper

more children die, it's such a farce

Oh broken world you wail for lost ones

You tear your clothes in anguished grief

Aid is delayed, it's bounty plundered

For those in need there's no relief

Oh broken world, your blood is on our hands

We've stretched too far resources you provide

We've seen no reason to replenish

but watched unmoved as you have died

And then at God we'll point the finger

Mankind's stupidity denied

We'll raise our eyes and fists at heaven

And ask why God did not provide

Oh broken world, we hang our heads in shame

to see your riches so depleted

We've taken all and given nothing

tomorrow's children robbed and cheated

Oh broken world, defiled, abused

We have to try and somehow save

What still remains of God's creation

And to respect the world He gave.

Karen Holmes

2010