Why Bother Ask Me Poem by Francis Duggan

Why bother ask me about greatness or what it means to be great it does mean
Since most of the celebrated we know of one might say not morally clean
Many of those we put on a pedestal are not of the enlightened kind
We laud them as if they are perfect and to their faults we do seem blind

Sports stars film stars and politicians are people we do celebrate
We treat them as if they are special of our idea of what it takes to be great
We help to make them wealthy and famous big egos are not hard to create
Though to them we are total strangers these people we do over-rate.

Perhaps I'm a cynical person if in celebrities flaws I can see
For the flaws that I do see in others are the flaws that I do see in me
Many live in the shadow of the success of others they laud those they don't even know
They help them to become wealthy and famous tall poppies are not hard to grow.

Oh give me the quiet unsung heroes who try to help those who are down
Who perform their corporal works of mercy on the poorer streets of the big town
Perhaps they have flaws like all others but the flaws in them harder to find
They may not be looked on as heroes but they are compassionate and kind.