I

What good is poetry
When our books
Are haunted
By the looks
Of frightened children
And the curse
Of helpless mothers?

II

What good is fantasy
When our dreams
Are troubled
By the screams
Of frightened children
And the groans
Of helpless mothers?

III

What good is learning
When our lore
Is helpless
To restore
The frightened children
And redeem
The helpless mothers?

IV

What good is faith
When our prayers
To the Lord
And the tears
Of frightened children
And the pleas
Of helpless mothers
Are ignored?

Copyright (2002) by Arnold Cantor.
All rights reserved.

[May 28, 1984.]