Opportunities

It's life Jim but not always as we know it

Folk think they're badly done to

In this modern world today

No doubt there is injustice

It's alwyas been the way

But today we do have choices

100 years ago they'd not

Especially the poor folk

I think we've all forgot.

Many will deny this, but

History doesn't mean a deal.

Forget it, it is in the past

Today's problems are for real.

But history has a lesson

For all of us to share.

I think no-one is listening

They've not got the time to spare.

If we'd only stop and think awhile

We really all could learn

But each new generation

Listen not and only spurn.

Everyone looks forward

Remember I wish they would.

Lessons are from yesterday

And forgetting does no good.

100 years ago when folk

Were ragged, dirty, poor,

The rich looked down their noses

Aloof to what they saw.

They thought that they were better

And poor should know their place.

I believe that all are equal

And it seems to me a waste.

The rich man wanted power

To make his dreams come true.

Suitable was his little wife.

Money she had tooo.

Women plain or pretty

But gentle born and bred

Love did not come into it

Money's what he wed.

The women were no better

Desperate to marry.

Position, status, off the shelf,

Marriage meant no worry.

A position in society

Their heads were held up high

What others though important

Even though they lived a lie.

Answerable to husband

For every little deed.

Personal ambition,

No - they always did take heed.

Once wed, each did wonder

Why there was passion none.

A loveless marriage based on money

But what was done, was done.

They often had a meaness

Despicably unkind.

To other folk less fortunate

Regarding money, mind.

Those poor and ragged people

Didn't stand a chance

Of getting help much needed

They jumped the wealthy's dance.

The blame was put upon them

Money they had not

And there they'd have to settle

In their squalor, they could rot.

It must have been like prison

For female, black or poor,

Within your sight, but being barred

From going through the door.

Hypocrytical the wealthy

Christian no way

Though off to church they'd go each week

Seemingly to pray.

Afraid to lose their power

And the niceties of life

The rich man on a pedestal

Behind him stood his wife.

Women who had money

Women who had not

But those who had some beauty

Sometimes climbed and out they got.

They'd become a rich man's mistress

Beauty was their power

But then cast off when beauty went

Withered like a flower.

Not many did have choices

Nor thought of right and wrong

Survival was essential

Somewhere they could belong.

If modern people realised

There's a choice to give and take

Not seize the chance to have it all

Be greedy, have all the cake.

So stop and think a little

What you can give to others.

No need to give up everything

But really no-one bothers.

There are many who set out in life

Determined they will care

But on the road they do forget

Or don't have the time to spare.

To know that there's injustice

And have power to change the rules

It's really sad so many

Decide to down their tools.

To have not time's not good enough

More's needed than to care.

Action is what is needed

A world for all to share.

Money into projects

For weak and strong alike

To share the burden, that is life

Opportunity burns bright.

Personal triumph's important

We all do have our needs.

But at the cost of others' dreams

My heart it really bleeds.

The human race will never

Triumph as a race

Unless all can use their choices

To make earth a better place.

Creating opportunities

For all to live in peace

Respecting other races

And so can war then cease.

We've lived our lives so lonely

Together was the word.

In World War 2, when all did work

Together they were heard.

Results were quite astounding

For one brief moment there.

Rich and poor stood solidly

And each did their fair share.

But it was lost so quickly.

I really don't know why.

It seems to be within us, but

Like vapour it will fly.

I'm not sure we have a future.

Our greed will overcome.

I have no great solution,

Where will good sense come from.

And so I finish sadly

I'm not sure that I can hope.

That we'll one day see clearly,

Until then, we'll have to cope.

Reviews

[Ocean]

Probably a bit soppy for some. I wrote this in 1996 so some time has passed but it still astounds me that it is luck that propels people forward, rather than equal opportunity. Dare to leave the road because there you will truly find who you are, especially if the world tells you that you are nothing