I Cannot Tell a Why

What is the sum of one plus one,

Where did Apollo land,

When did the Titanic sink?

These answers, close at hand.

 

But ask why there’s such sadness,

Why good people have to die,

Why some grief will never fade ~

I just can’t tell you why.

 

I’ll tell you if your stocks are up

And how to tie your shoes;

Which baseball player is the best ~

I’m good with hows and whos.

 

But why a bully just won’t stop

Until his victims weep ~

I can’t begin to answer that;

The whys go much too deep

 

Why does violence seem the norm

with peace in short supply;

I guess I’m not too bright, because

I cannot tell a why.

 

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Rita, you have said what I am thinking....but so much more lyrically than I ever could. There is no sense to some of the events we witness in this world. No mathematical equation can solve the why.....and we have no control. Excellent poetry! Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

Frustrating to say the least - we want to know, but know there's no answer... Thanks, Lydi.

[Jack...]

This is so sad and so true Rita. I read the story about the young girl who leapt to her death because she was being bullied. Evil is everywhere and the reason that was given in that case was the bullying girls are more popular with the guys...they are tougher or whatever. Popular...now there's something to strive for. Very well done my friend.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ugh... popularity sems exhausting, and so not worth the price of one's soul. Emily Dickinson got it right in "I'm Nobody - Who Are You?" Thank you, Jack.

[Sami Khalil]

Thought provoking and relevant to any time of history. You have raised wonderful questions and spiritual ones too...Bravo...:>)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you very much, Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:>).............

[Indie Skreet]

nicely said Rita, but if you wrote 'until his victims weep', you would have had the perfect rhyme, as is the rest of the poem. best regards, Indie

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Indie. You are right - I will make that adjustment. Appreciate your review!

[Tom]

Why ? Indeed can be an insurmountable conundrum !

A thoughtful and musing poem !

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Tom.

[Cassie]

We all can not tell why so many bad things happen around us, why we lose our loved ones, and this poem has some bit of sadness, I really loved it Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Cassie.

[Angel]

I don't know about you, but I hate when kids ask "why"...especially the kinds of "whys" you speak of in this wonderful poem. I don't have answers for them...and I feel as if I'd let them down.

Fantastic job, as always, Little Bird...

[Rita L. Sev]

Exactly where this came from, Angel. I am asked the whys often... and have no answer. Thank you.

[Dr. Wood ?]

Down to lack of education..That's my view..Governments worldwide will always try to bolt that door far too late....Great poem

[Rita L. Sev]

Far too late... that's for sure. Thanks, Doc.

[Angi]

I do not understand these horrible things either, Rita. It breaks my heart. Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

As it does all good people... Thanks, Angi.

[Michael G. Smith]

Tough questions to answer. What can I say? Your writings are so precise and nice. We know who can answer these questions don't we?

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, we do... but I grow weary of not being able to explain it to a hurting child... Thanks, Mike.