Could You Just Act In That Way? Poem by David Taylor

Whatever your colour, religion, belief,
your ist, your ish or ism or chism.
I would like propose that one thing is true.
That every day each one of us rises.
And knows that he is and says “I am awake! ”
And this is the I that each one of us has,
and gives us our place,
as a part of this one human race.

Now recently it seems that ideology teems
With fanatics and despots and devils.
What in God’s name? It all seems insane!
Is the 21st Century to blame?
Perhaps if we went back in time,
without aircraft to crash and internet crime,
maybe we all could have some peace in our life?

Yes, oh for a home where just the buffalo roam;
and a few Indian tribes to slaughter.
Genocide was much simpler then.
When you looked over your shoulder,
there was only a boulder,
not a god’ dam, news hungry, TV reporter.

One more thing you cannot dispute.
There is only one planet, which we all share.
We are all breathing the very same air.
So each of us, whoever we are,
equally shares the duty to see,
that this planet is cared for, for our children to be.

So when you jet off on your holiday flight,
and are walking that beach of your dreams,
don’t forget to look at the carbon footprints you leave in the sand.
And buying a car? Must it guzzle the gas?
And when you throw out the trash,
remember, recycle for cash.

In a hundred years time the flags will be flying,
with patriots giving salutes.
But your fellow humans, will they be drowning?
Or dying from thirst in a dessert of drought?
And the Eagles of which you are all so proud,
will they long since ceased to have soared,
in those magnificent mountains of yours?

The scientists give us a glimmer of hope.
They tell us this universe is huge.
Its vast and much bigger than you ever could think,
so its most exceedingly likely,
there is intelligent life to be found.
Not here on the ground, but out in that vast universe.
Which is the best we can hope because I begin to despair,
that we ever will find any on Earth.

So what ever party, religion, ethnic group
or other belief you support.
Would you please kindly note,
were all in the same boat,
as the worlds oceans rise day by day.
Would it really be to much to ask, and to say,
“do you think maybe you could just act in that way? ”