Civilization Poem by Raymond Farrell

Civilization is a word
That is so often heard
In contexts
Both evil and great
It like freedom
Has been abused and distorted
In its ideal sense
Civilization is a way of living
An attitude that affords
Equal respect to all
It is the golden rule
Put into practice
Where every person
Gives to others
Every right he claims
To be his own
But sadly too often
It has been given
As the reason
To invade and subdue
Technologically inferior
And vulnerable races
Claiming to bring them
Something they need
While stealing and exploiting
What they have
And even in the so-called West
That prides itself as being
The cradle of modern civilization
Whose underlying paradigm
Rests on the confidence men
Have in each other
Their integrity and honesty
And even their future goals
All is in disarray
As there is no agreement
On values or the path
To be forged for the future
And the word
Civilization
Has become
A hollow metaphor
While the sad reality sees
A few exalting themselves
By degrading the many.