The Youth of Yesterday

The Youth of Yesterday

“What is thy purpose on earth, my son?”
The Old Man asked of me
As we stood- high above the earth…
A warring, raging sea……of people.

As I thought on how to answer him
The stars in the heavens and the moon grew dim
Yet, I could still see the Old Man’s face
So full of love and compassion-for the human race.

This…..is how I replied….

In this world of ours peace is just a word
Often spoken of but rarely really heard.
In this world strength and power are the rules of the game
And with that come glory and fame.
A planet where the loser loses hope and faith
Yet, where the real loser is the entire human race.

In this world to fail or lose is a slight
Where to win at any cost is always right.
Just to live and love is a never ending fight.
No wonder nations find it hard to unite.

On our planet there are many and varied religions
Each making their own sacramental decisions
So many people….so many different views
So many so called Holy Wars rarely out of the news
Each insisting that GOD is on their side.
But murder is the devil husband, and hates his willing bride.

In my youth there was war in Ireland, hate between North & South.
A bullet from the gun whilst a prayer on the mouth.
There was Suez; there was Aden……and so many more
Who really knows what they were fighting for?

Now there’s danger of war between North & South Korean
The world waits. Hope shared with fear.
We have ISIS, Terrorism and devastation….
Are we heading for annihilation?

In my youth, my life’s purpose, was, to me, very clear
(Though failure is the word I use now I fear)
I wanted to speak out…loud and clear
In the hope that others might hear, and heed my words.
I wanted to bring harmony between class and creed.
In my words.   In my writing.     In my every deed.    (continued)

I first wrote those words 40 years ago….now I continue…..by saying…..
When will people come to realise
That Life could be worth living
If we were more understanding, more caring, more forgiving.
If we accepted that in God’s eyes, we are all the same.
Then perhaps then, peace would be more than just a name.

What is the problem of another man’s skin?
Surely what’s more important is the soul that lies within?
What’s so different in the way we say our prayers
Kneeling or carpets or sitting on chairs?
Should it not be for the same thing that we pray?
For peace and understanding now and every day
For unity and trust between all mankind.
Or…….is hatred and fear making us blind?

We are all God’s Children as the Holy Books tells
So what is it that somehow impels?
Man to murder, by gun bomb or sword
And then insist they are carrying out the work of the Lord!
Is it it Jealousy, Power or just Greed……..
Wanting and taking something that we don’t really need?

As I paused to consider what else I had to say
I looked at the Old Man, but he swiftly turned away
But not before I saw the tears in his eyes
Tears that he tried but could not disguise
Tears for the failure of God’s Universal Plan….
Tears of blood……shed for the stupidity of man.

As I looked down at the dying earth below
Anger within me began to grow
So I continued by saying” I know……
That the task I faced and face is daunting indeed
But, if just one man is willing to lead
Other may follow and in time may succeed.”

As the light returned…..I could quite clearly see the Old Man’s face
And as I did so my heart began to quicken and my pulse began to race
For I realised with frustration and sorrow
That I was……
That Youth of Yesterday…….and……the Old Man of Tomorrow!