While You Can

Write, Write, Write.
Because the pen is mightier than the sword
But it may not always remain so.
And the thoughts as well as the
Blue-Gray ink may dry out.

Fight, Fight, Fight.
Because only the fittest can survive
Was the only mantra we have learnt
From our jungle days.
And also because Peace apparently lies
At the end of Hostility, they say.
Metaphorically, for Existence
For Human right, For Position,
Honor and just a good Price.

Kiss, Kiss, Kiss.
Because the lips can become scurvy and rough
Or be made of Steel or recycled plastic
Such that succulent emotions may evaporate
From a metallic or electronic heart.
Get at it while the time is still ripe.

Eat, Eat, Eat.
Because eight year old boys in North Africa
Are Starving for the last six days
And Walmart has cheap food prices
Starting from Thanksgiving till Christmas.
And forcibly overfed chickens are slaughtered
Just to make that lovely teriyaki bowl
You serve.

Drive, Drive, Drive.
Because there will be no more lovely places
In America within the next twenty years.
The climate skeptics have forewarned
A Global meltdown - Unforgiving and Unavoidable.
Who will quench the thirst?
Also burn Gasoline as long as Saudi billionaires
Don't run out of business.
Even if the damn 3rd world countries
Are forced to buy shamelessly overpriced oil
Travel in Buses
And sweat so and so much extra.

Search, Search, Search.
Because you may find your lost I-Pad
Old Notes, Camus book, your birthday present
Given to you on your eleventh birthday.
But you may also find Bin Laden
And save trillions of dollars ,
Human lives
And Anthropogenic modification of the
Afghan landscape.

Show, Show, Show.
Show them the gateway to your three storeyed house
Your lovely wife,
And the Brand new BMW you bought.
How the American Dream can still be realized?
Damn those recession suckers.
Your overpriced education, Wharton MBA degree
250 K Job at McKinsey and Company contrasts
With those who lose jobs every other day
And the debts rise as the Mortgage cheaters
Run and fly.

Do what you can.
Do while you can.

© Nothing Personal. December 17, 2010.

Reviews

[Dakota]

Interesting piece and content. I like the form and your choice of words.

"Do what you can. Do while you can." Such a relative pair of statements. To those your words are directed to this could mean jetting to their own private island for the weekend while their secretary's handing out the latest round of pink slips. Those of us in the real world know that it means reach out and help, do what you can for who you can while you're still physically able to do it.

SO many things so many in this country still need to hear, unfortunately those that need it most probably never will.

[Alicia Schroeder]

The reality of life, well put into words and it is honostly a shame that people have to live paycheck to paycheck just to merely survive, so enjoy the little things while you can, because before you know it even your rights will slowly be taken away, I really love this write, so much truth in it.. :)

[PoppySilver]

Yep, that hit the spot lol
We are all too restricted, freedom strangulated, we never realise what we have got! Excellent perspective here, great work love xx

[OT]

i love how this piece gets deeper and stronger with each stanza - from the luxuries almost - such as the ability to muse and write - to the necessities of fighting and having food to eat and honouring the nature which we are destroying! as always NP superb language (anthropogenic modification = wow!). just brilliant!! as with all of your stuff!

[Coyote Poetry]

Great advice in your words. In the land of milk and honey. Hard to see the people suffering in your backyard. In Detroit today. 21 thousand people are homeless and hungry. Many people try to help. It a costly function for the common people to pay and help the needy. But they do and they are the Angels who live among us. A excellent poem. Last line is what we must do.
Coyote

[Mauricio Montoya]

great job well done.

[Cherrie Palmer]

nice progression of thought and action, I liked it.

[JanieB]

This is just so brilliant. Very well written, and quite extraordinary.

[StormCloud]

nice job. Loved it.

[Brad Baum]

Very interesting piece of work here, I really enjoyed it. The repeated words to begin your stanzas are fantastic. I always try to find a way to include something like that, a theme related to form. Also love the concluding couplet. Do what you can, do while you can. So very philosophic, and yet incredibly simple at the same time. Well done.