Will the way ahead be clear?

When the tombstones of the warlords

have crumbled into dust;

when the armouries and assembly lines

cease manufacturing the guns;

when servicemen and women

refuse to hear the call;

and the ordinary citizen

universally says, No!

Then, when the dogs of war are leashed

will the way ahead be clear?

 *

When the common and the everyday

are seen as part of our creation;

when the eye of every human

looks on his neighbour as companion;

when all the hurt that ever was

has lost its bitterness;

when, I’m sorry, and, I love you,

contain no other meaning.

Then, when we’ve learned to think of others 

will the way ahead be clear?

 *

When shouting for our rights

balances with our responsibilities;

when those who do the manual work

are recognised for what they’re worth;

when elected representatives

seek honestly to govern;

when mankind learns to live with nature

and stops poisoning the planet.

Then, with standards all acknowledge

will the way ahead be clear?

 *

When we join the great departed

and time for us has ceased;

will we leave some good behind us,

folks be grateful that we’d lived;

how will the personal record look

as the score is totalled up;

will the watchers hide their faces

as our book of life is shut?

Will everything be clear at last

as to the reason we have lived?

 *

Dennis Crompton © 1994

(first published www.denniscrompton.wordpress.com 2013)