DO YOU ?

DO YOU ?

 

This world seems cold, full of evil and hate;
Causing us to tremble.....ponder our fate.
Many look around for someone to blame,
Listen to the news, searching for a name.

Here's a novel thought, you'll not like to hear.
Turn off that TV!.....Now look in the mirror.
"Who me?  Well I never!" you start to say.
"How could I lead the whole world astray?"

These questions, for all of us, not just you.
Look closer at the things you fail to do.
Do you let love flow out to all you meet?
Are you rich, knowing some have bugs to eat?

 

 

Do you always use your God-given brain?
Think for yourself...even on the 'soul train'?
Do you speak out, when injustice you see?
Or hunch your shoulders, "It's not up to me!"

Do you stand and leave, or stay in the pew,
When you see it's fear and hatred they spew?
Do you simply accept what  others say?
Blame all our ills on those who are gay?

Down through the ages with religious zeal,
Others, judged 'n condemned, with no appeal.
Who'll become the next victims of this age?
Ridiculed...scorned...downtrodden by rage.

 

Minorities, oft the scapegoats of choice,
Ignorance and fear grant evil a voice.
That voice, from a pulpit, stirs up a crowd,
Making them think such judging is allowed.

History attests to these shameful truths,
In witch-hunts 'n wars, we slaughter our youths. 
When you point a finger.....try it.....it's true,
There's always three pointing right back at you.

Don't sit there quiet, get down on your knees,
Your silence implies....with them you agree.
Casting stones, as tossed boomerangs, my friend,
Will find their way back to you, in the end.

 

(c)Ellen Hammond

Reviews

[ICE]

This was very deep! The scary part about this piece is that its so true.

"Look closer at the things you fail to do.
Do you let love flow out to all you meet?
Are you rich, knowing some have bugs to eat?"

"Ignorance and fear grant evil a voice.
That voice, from a pulpit, stirs up a crowd,
Making. them think such judging is allowed."

You hit some very pressing issues in our society...I just want to thank you for writing this!

[Lisasview]

First read of yours and I did enjoy it...
Each line made me want to read the next one...and so forth.
It was so smooth and really well written.
And, sadly so true... oh how I wish it was not...
I wrote a poem called AWAKEN...I think you might like,
Lisa, now in Spain

[Donna]

This poem is amazing to me! You said it all! Thanks so much for sharing his with us!

[Ellen Hammond]

Thank you! Sorry to be so long responding but for some reason I didn't receive a notice that you commented on this. Glad you liked it. Funny thing is, I posted it on a "Christian" website and received a lot of flack. Somehow that didn't really surprise me.

[Donna]

That doesn't surprise me either!

[Relic]

I was shocked to see the date this was written. It's amazing how true this is even today. Not a lot has changed, has it?

[Ellen Hammond]

Thanks for taking time to read and leave a comment. You are so right. If anything, I think this may be even more relevant today.

[lee von cleef]

Vincent 1952 motorcycle Black Lighting, mama rock me, Don't think twice , you might be right, duty look to curiosity,teach it,"Curiosity" youth will fail, then learn and truth is I am old, decentralize, look to your twelve, Put your our dollars where we can see em, spend em local,walk to a quiet rhythm, Flat dance,read out loud at a walk in the classroom , Irish Writers, they will hand out the keys.

[Tate Morgan]

I was once asked if i could rid the world of one thing what would it be..answer "RELIGION"

[Ellen Hammond]

I can understand that. There is a vast difference between faith and religion. Religion tends to cause cause friction and separates people.

[Tate Morgan]

I agree totally

[A. Amos]

Reading your work takes me in your world and all i find there is beautiful peace for lost soul, what a way of educating your readers with words of wisdom. This for sure is not an any easy write, one can feel the effort the dedication to spread awareness, world and all who read this neatly crafted piece of art will be asking themselves many questions after reading your work..

It is so easy to blame others, rather being part or getting involved to do something about it. If I only change myself half of the problem is sort out! Wonderful eye opening piece.
Keep on writing you truly are God gifted my friend, consider me a true fan of your daring, honest and raw work. Respect!

[Ellen Hammond]

Thank you for such an insightful review. I don't often rant like this but felt it was time for people to take a hard look at themselves before blaming others for the way things are in this world. Perhaps it will make others stop to think simply because it is so different from my usual style. Glad you liked it.

[A. Amos]

I love it, I think enough is enough world need to open their eyes and understand; this life is just a journey not a destination. Please keep writing more like this world need it and let them understand the truth before its too late. You're most welcome.

[Susan Beth Horvath]

This is so, so lovely Ellen. I am so glad to have discovered your wonderful poetry

[Ellen Hammond]

Thank you. So glad you enjoyed reading my rant. lol

[jacob erin-cilberto]

as ICE said...scary because this is all truth...something was happening in the sixties, but it never quite came to fruition....but yes, we need to look in our own backyards to see that apathy rules, and that we are too busy sitting in judgement of others to get our own moral, ethical and logical feet moving in the right direction.

[Ellen Hammond]

I guess for many it is more comfortable to point a finger at others rather than look too closely at themselves. Funny thing is, this poem has so many great reviews here but when I posted it on a 'Christian' site, it was highly criticized by people who jumped on the defensive trying to justify their doctrine etc.

Thanks for taking time to read this and post a review.

[The Analog Kid]

Very introspective for all of us. Nice question to ask without being pretentious. Very meaningful write