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)
