Socialist Sonnet No.184 (A)
Challenging (1)
There is a challenge to we advocates
Of our world being transformed by conscious choice,
Here is the quaver of doubt in my voice.
I’m a frequent witness to parlous states
Hedgerows, verges and lay-bys are left in;
Tree hung dog-poo bags, or tied up and tossed
Amongst bottles and cans and slimy waste
Of fast food cartons by those bereft in
Their social concern, the couldn’t-carers
For whom self not others matters the most.
Meanwhile, volunteers are doing their best
To make things better, as litter pickers.
Social and anti-social, here’s a schism
That’s not the fault of capitalism.
Socialist Sonnet No.184 (B)
Challenging (2)
It certainly seems at times there are those
Who are despoilers, being bent on making
The world worse, intent only in taking,
Without consideration or remorse.
They stand in contradistinction to all
The many, many unreported acts
Of humanity, unacknowledged facts,
Obscured by the far fewer that appal.
People can choose, sometimes it’s the wrong choice,
Hindering progress, even appearing
To reverse it. Those resolved on steering
Towards better, need a persistent voice
Amidst the clamour of competing views,
And media dedicated to bad news.
D. A.