Common fields we share
each hand takes a little more,
each wishing to share—
plenty thins; scarcity leers;
common good flounders in lust.
Self shields its own gain,
hunger grasps beyond enough,
past what suffices—
we hoard, hide our greedy grabs
shunning the common good share.
Only when it fades,
grass worn down to barren soil—
do we speak restraint?
too late, or almost too late,
to stop the commons' shared fate.
In life,
Love ought to be our motivation.
Humanity, our concern
God, our inspiration
If
We wish for a better world to build,
Everything we think, say, or do
Should be aiming at the common
Good!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
24 August 2021
For the Common Good
David J Walker
The warm summer nights breeze
Becomes the messenger and
The message is the perfumed air
There are many reasons to linger
Under the porch not meant to provide
Protection from an evening’s outside elements
The fresh mown grass releases its
own earthy scent as the sunsets trailing
its lingering rays into a new hue of a blue night
Tomorrows dawn will go beyond the
Expectations of yesterdays prayers
Of those who pray to a common God
For the common good
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! Psalm 117:1 (responsorial)
Like it or not, we need regulations to protect the common good. But what about rules you believe are arbitrary? Have you ever thought about breaking any? That thought crossed my mind time or two! When it’s tempting to rebel, think about this truth: Along with rights, we have responsibilities to one another.
Consider how the recent pandemic, brought on by the invisible corona virus, impacted us. Stay-at-home orders, along with social distancing and face mask guidelines were mandated-not to punish us, but to protect us. Let’s face it-no one really likes being told what to do or when to do it. What makes sense to me may not make sense to you. And that’s okay. We are responsible for one another regardless of our views. While we may not always be of one mind, God’s law of love calls us to be of one heart.
Gail Goleas
The time has come my loving siblings
To put the common good above all
And show that we care for each other
To avoid thus bringing Man's downfall!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
25 March 2020
The Common Good
Rice pudding with cinnamon serves the common good
Razor blades on wrists do not
Utility of perfection is perfected knowing God and nature
Playing with the devil and dark forces ends in dread
Of course ice cream is still delicious when served cold
Arsenic is not nutritious or so we’re told
Naturally sex is fun and should be taken under advisement
Leaping from a plane without a parachute has unpleasant consequences
Walking on pavements is a solid, concrete and more constructive thing to do
Leaving babies in hot cars to fry is still a crime
It is better to sleep through life if you are so inclined
Doing good, being well, is always within your grasp
But someone, probably you, will have to cut the grass
It is keeping up the neighborhood
For the common good; like cinnamon and pudding
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