we can we must

There will be no world leaders
expressing their regret
flying to the disaster site
for some votes to get

the media is with Clarkson
a fracas to report
or with violence on the football pitch
the readers think is sport

in drought stricken Sahel
by a watering hole gone dry
the exhausted thirsty and hungry
congregate to die

the child with fly rimmed eyes
stares into the sky
weakened sick and dying
unable now to cry

the next water hole a two days walk
when they were fit and well
but with wasted limbs and muscle cramps
the cruelest walk to hell

we can save a tabby cat
stuck in a sewer down below
we can feed the hillside sheep
caught in the winter snow

we can fly to distant lands
where cyclones have been
or to a bombed out car
where only rubble can be seen

be we seem to fail humanity
starving because they are poor
throwing away our excess food
yet demanding more