Promises Unfulfilled
There is a lot of anger in our nation,
in this lovely land with its different,
people, beliefs, ideas and cultures;
for too many citizens are left wanting.
Our youth, life expectancy just forty years,
all faith gone, what can they do, no hope
of work, young minds poisoned by need,
must be cleansed, and a fresh hope given.
With example from their leaders shown,
many now steal to live, all caring gone,
ubuntu lost, they are ignored, lose hope,
no self interest, drink so they can cope.
There are no bright lights on horizon
of their lives to take aim for; too many
made ambitions have fallen on to the
rocky stones of opportunities not given.
And so another generation becomes lost
on the wastelands of political greed, avarice,
self interest, self adornment and importance.
Because of this our youth suffer once again?
Past young generations fought and gave
their lives for equal opportunities for all.
They struggled for a better education,
health care, a fairer, better chance for all.
They now see their children suffer more!
What happened to the reasons for fight,
the reason they struggled for? It got lost
in body politics’ grasping, wanting ways.
For like all wars, leaders have taken spoils,
they took the best for selves from victory,
made promises to be broken for the people,
brave troopers of the fight…get only praise!
Bob Blackwell
02-09-2010
(Edited 31-10-2011)
Great closing stanza, Bob...a bold powerful poem on the issues it speaks about
All values are lost in the muddle pool of politics. The politicians promise and forget as soon as they come in power. The youth have to take up cudgles against the corrupt and fight out. A good wake up call.
Bob while it is true that it may not be possible to meet the aspirations of every group of people in a country like India , which stands to get divided into many states with their own politicians , at least at the National level we can get rid of corruption and selfishness and think of humanity & its upliftment !The troopers who die fighting are told that you are being paid for it ! I was at the Pathankot front during the 1971 Indo-Pak War as an young Officer ! Thank You for your kind comments on part two of my 'Story of English' ! I post only once a month ! Best wishes , -Raj
a whole of people think the way you do but yet the politicians bull doze their way
There is always a new wave of pocket lining politicians to replace the old, and sadly it is always the people that suffer. A great write, Bob.
A well-penned, heartfelt and true reflection of the sad state of affairs in many countries with a genuine concern for the younger generation. Bob, I always wonder how we as poets could help effect a positive change all over the world. Can we do it at all?
A stark reminder that we are who we are because of who we all are. All around the world now the wealthy and powerful get richer and more powerful and the disadvantaged poor pay for it and increasingly lose hope. Powerfully written Bob. kath xxx
A reflective write about the futility of war, good write Bob
they get the praise then quicky forgotten
A voice to be heard, is yours, for it sees and speaks out... how tragic that so much that was fought so valiantly for... has now been submerged with not the best in humans being brought to the fore... Your poem is moving in its sad realizations...