Do You See

DO YOU SEE? Did you see the picture of the swollen-bellied child, Beset with flies nobody had the strength to brush away? Did you see his mother, as weak as he is, Whose one remaining hope is that he dies first; Not to be left to die alone? Have you seen the water hole, Shared by incontinent wild-life, Where they are forced to drink each day? Who cares? The aid worker cares, Risking health and sanity Trying to stem the tide of human suffering While supplies dwindle. Did you see the pictures of the latest fighter plane? One hundred million pounds a time. The government’s ordered eight Eight hundred million pounds available it seems, To kill people What price saving some? Who cares? The child doesn’t react to the sonic boom above Only the flies panic and briefly leave him Did you see those pictures of the other side of Mars? Have you seen the budget for man’s never ending quest To understand the galaxy and the origin of stars. Who cares about the origin of stars? The child with distended belly and flies on his eyes, Will not see the other side of tonight. Who cares what’s on the other side of Mars? Who cares? 11th February 2020 Does Anyone Care? contest Sponsor - Emile Pinet