Some people think
The human race is number one
In charge of everything.
We own the world
And use it as we please.

The art of lying
Is skilfully used
To mislead, manipulate,
Exploit,
And used to gain material wealth.

Packaging is now the art of
Fooling the consumers.
The size of the container at the store shelf
Is still the same but it contains far less.
Bottles of vitamins are half full.

We are lied to, betrayed,
And overcharged,
All in the name of maximizing profits.
Greed is totally legal
And is now called smart business.

Politicians tell lies to get elected
And then line their own pockets.
Religious leaders enjoy their status
Or, even worse,
Are charged with child abuse.

We are told
There is no right or wrong
In matters of morals.
All of us are now presumed adult enough
To know what is right or wrong for us.

Communal values,
Caring, sharing, volunteering,
Are fading fast.
Public perception of being caring
Is all we really care about.

Why are so many humans
Deadly afraid
To fall into the hands of humans,
To be abused, exploited,
And even killed?

Few are the voices
Protesting exploitation and injustice.
Most acquiesce
Or just accept
The facts of life.

The Lord grieved
That He had made man on earth,
And His heart was filled with pain.
So the Lord said,
“I will wipe mankind,
Whom I have created,
From the face of the earth.”
(Genesis 6, 6-7, NIV)

Are we a failed experiment
Of one we now proclaim not to exist?
And if He does exist,
Could He be angry now,
Ready again to wipe us out?

Or could He just stand by
And watch us
Do it ourselves,
Unless, what novel thought,
We do repent and change?

Ash Wednesday 2012