Civility and Man: a Historical View

Civility and Man: A Historical View Since man began to populate the earth, And feel the pull of Satan’s evil ways. The angels came to teach the fallen souls: Proposing righteous ways to live earth days. Decorum had been taught both then and now. Man, Adam and his wife with death had played. The badly chosen fruit waylaid their plight. Enlightened, but from loving God they strayed. Significance and consequence brought death. The mortal two began to populate. So rules of etiquette began to grow. And man’s new fate embraced their mortal state. Before too long, grave envy showed its face. And Cain did not obey the rules, as taught. He chose a rock and struck his brother dead. Civility was not wrought in that rock. When Moses led his people through the sands. And Father carved some rules upon a stone. Uncivilized, they bickered, played, and sinned. Respect for God and His great words had flown. When Socrates and Plato came around, Civility…philosophy was deep. The Ten Commandments were the reigning rules. And politics gave zealousness a hold. George Washington and others wrote some rules. These rules were social rules, not civil laws. Civility back then meant manner’s guide. Respecting one another, yielding self. The hundred plus ten rules, then set in place. Fell prey to proper conduct’s judging ways. And judgment for their lacking could be cruel. If down the nose one’s self-worth found a sneer. Dear Harry Truman taught a civil dream. Of unity within the scope of men, Together working for the greater good. All brothers hand in hand respecting each. The world today is filled with hatred’s fray. Mankind now turns away from loving ways. The common man believes all shall be well. Surprise! Civility is on the road to hell. Good actions are respecters of all men. With energy beget not violent ways. Or great travail shall overcome mankind. Civility to me, most surely means: Loving one another, there and at home. Willfully revising loveless thinking. Rebuking darkness with the light of love. Unity and freedom…let us ring. United wisdom drinking of love’s well, No longer greeting slaughter of lost hope. But civilly, rethinking plights of man. © Name withheld for the contest March 21, 2010 Poetic form: Free Verse PLEASE PRAY FOR THE WORLD AND FORWARD THIS AS INSPIRED.