Respecting man, a motto or a myth?

Human rights, what a nice phrase 
Permeates the mind in fanciful ways 
Peace everywhere, what a sweet dream 
Of ethics’ crop, it seems the cream

Equal we stand before the law 
Yet some are taller, longer in the paw
Equality lives only in books 
In the real world, some have better looks

Of human rights, some have a lot more 
Based on yardsticks rotten to the core
Some preach for long on merits of peace 
While wheels of war, they willingly grease

As the world burns in flames of war 
Warmongers escape feathers and tar
The innocent pay for the wicked’s wrong
And thus is sung the human song 

But wait, this is just the ugly part
To make life comely, man has the art
Many noble souls follow lofty goals 
To improve life for human shoals 

Be it by fighting for human rights 
Freedom, justice for blacks and whites 
Or bringing peace in war-ravaged zones 
Or Healing the wounds and broken bones 

To end injustice, they will do their best 
Wherever it is, whether east or west 
Truly human they always remain 
Give meaning to life and ease the pain
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace