A question of morality

poem

 

 

 

A question of morality?

 

What makes an action right or wrong?

Do we decide this consciously?

 or do we simply go along

with accepted morality.

 

If you must kill to save a life.

You can do but reluctantly

because its sets up mental strife.

Which interferes with liberty

 

 of action which is needed to

 remove the threat which you perceive.

Although the deed will trouble you,

 you have to act as you believe.

 

To shoot a man who means to kill

 someone you love is justified.

Although some moralists will still

deny you the right to decide.

 

 I think we act instinctively

 when there is no alternative.

Remove the threat decisively

 an action which I’m positive.

 

Should not be seen as culpable

 A fact that recognised by law

each one of us is capable

 of being executioner.

 

When circumstance indicate

that we must act immediately.

There is no time to hesitate

considering morality.

 

We act because we have to act.

We have no choice it must be done

 I choose to see this as a fact

although it won’t please everyone.

 

.5-Mar-08

 

 

Reviews

[Ani Ashford]

Sometimes the choice is no choice - but to act in that split second of defense. There are no second chances if one fails. Threats are not a game. There is no lack of morality with courage. Everyday our soldiers, police, even the ordinary person will have to choose. May they always have courage. Sometimes I wonder why our society truly seems to support the person who has acted maliciously with intent on destruction. Thank you for your poem.

[J.K. (Not Rowling)]

Strong words, yet beautifully written. You have a marvelous grasp of meter and tone. I personally agree completely with you. Regardless of what you think or say, when in the heat of a stressful moment you have to "do." That "doing" defines us individually more than the over-arching consensus of the world ever would. Thank you for being strong enough, and wise enough, to say this. (Though you are right, it certainly would not please everyone) Keep writing, your work is important for others to read, whether you realize the weight of your experience or not. Thanks for giving us all the opportunity to learn from you.

[DeAn]

wow, this a screaming truth and yet like all truths hardley ever found. I am glad I found it. although of course, like us all, I knew it as well. it is our natural instinct to survive that demands we act.

great prose and the synergy of this flow is very intense.

loved it

l8r g8r
-Tao