Socialist Sonnet No.184

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.