The saying goes “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘Tis folly to be wise”, But there can be no bliss in ignorance Which places risk to other lives! We are our brothers’ keepers, And our sisters’ too, And they can be impacted By what we choose to do! True pride lies not in doing Just what we like to do, It lies in doing what is right, In knowing that we chose a path To help others be all right. For one year now the World is strained With the relentless COVID Virus And the devastation it has wrought, Lives disrupted, legions lost, multitudes left with worry that fills their every thought! How will the rent be paid, and food put on the table? How to endure financial stress, yet keep the family stable? Mental and emotional health growing frail, Families ruptured, careers derailed, Dreams and ambitions stalled! Abusive behaviour on the rise! And these problems are not all! Frustration, hopelessness, stress on sanity, No words or thoughts can begin to Tell the true cost to Humanity! And even though a year has passed, The Numbers rise at an alarming rate, It’s all out of control! Yet there are many who still refuse To recognize the enormous human toll! “It’s fake news”, they shout! “Don’t interfere with my rights!” “I won’t wear a mask, that’s out!” “ You can’t make me wash my hands!” “ I won’t respect your protocols, Don’t tell me what to do! It’s not my job to protect your health, I don’t care what you say or do!” “All that talk of carefulness is your way to control”, “I’m invincible, I won’t get sick, And you’re on your own!” When these soldiers of defiance Find themselves infected, They suddenly become the most concerned, Then wish they hadn’t neglected To do the same things they were asked to do To protect themselves and others, For had more of us done more of that, Things could have been vastly different. And though there are some vaccines now, It won’t be soon that they will stem The virulent spread and harm, We cannot now complacent be, Or our cautiousness disarm. It’s more than time to do what’s right, To think of all mankind, T’is not a time for egos, Or to be of selfish mind, Wear our masks, Wash our hands, Respect the protocols, It’s not just all about you, It’s about the good of all Mankind! © Copyright by The Poet Way
