A Newer Man

She spoke as the world pursued its deafened way

But one heart touched all open hearts were moved.

Some came responding to the divine call

But in our time science is the lord,

Its answer to our need to prolong life,

A drastic surgery augment the brain

A chemist's potion keep the cells alive

That blood may run unclotted through the veins

Extend the years beyond our given time

That we may watch the sitcoms at our ease

Surf the channels for our favourite games,

Half listen to the politicians lie,

Drink our beer, eat pretzels and grow fat

Or watch enthralled dramatic nightly news

To satiate the vital appetite,

Invite disaster in our living rooms,

Watch the grieving mother, the dead child,

Families torn apart and genocide

In safety on our comfortable couch.

Perhaps a mindless movie might be nice,

Sex and innuendo feed our lust.

Nothing on? (As often is the case),

We'll take a nap and catch the evening news.

What purpose life if emptied of its soul

And violence usurp the world, and dark,

Or we lose ourselves in work and no dreams come

A shade is drawn across the spirit's view

Or lethargy is ruler of our lives.

If we could find the centre of the Self,

Call in a light to illuminate the way

We might yet find behind this thin façade

Beyond upheaval and the Falsehood's reign,

Earth in transformation, Beauty's dawn

Emerging on the horizon of the world,

A newer man of kind and noble mien

And godlike strength, seer and lover and king.