Seems like it’s Time to Choose

Somewhere deep within
We’ve always known this time would come,
Approaching that fork in the road,
That familiar temptation to take once again
That path we’ve known
Like gravity’s irresistible force,
Impossible to ignore
Yet this time
We must

The party’s over
Deflated balloons surround us
The air is flat, stale,
Devoid of life

We wanted to believe we could keep the doors closed for ever
Reveling in our privilege, our specialness,
Bathing luxuriously in the illusion of our deserved entitlement

For years we  watched others’ televised plight in far off lands
The floods, the wars, the famine
With tearful eyes and occasional donations
Now we accept the disgrace of rough sleepers and food banks
Giving thanks to a meaningless god that it’s not us
As we wring our helpless, pitying hands
With the constant refrain ‘But what can I do?’

And now, facing the mirror of truth,
There is an answer we can no longer ignore
Time to choose that other path
That some of us may remember from days past
When the way was easy to follow,
Where the signposts were clearly labelled,
Branded. burned deeply for all time
For all to see and follow

Treat others with kindness and generosity
As you would want to be treated,
Share fairly because there really is more than enough for everyone
Reveal and express your creativity and wonder,
The true path to personal achievement for the benefit of all

It’s not hard,
Just unfamiliar.
Have faith once again in that signpost,
Have courage to take that other path
Be determined and trust that others will follow into a future that works for all.