A Not So Happy New Year

Sorry for the depressing title but my poem sums up my bitter sweet New Year :-

2006 has gone away,
2007 is here to stay,
But trough all the joy and merriment,
Has anyone heard the people’s laments?

Floods in Johor wreaking havoc,
All people left in shock,
For a few days we were concerned,
When New Year came our attention turned,

Turned to where and when to party,
Taking the problem rather lightly,
I am one of the guilty ones,
Not choosing help but to have fun.

The media rather cover New Year celebrations,
Our dumb Ferris wheel or smiling politicians,
Has anyone spared a thought to our suffering brethren?
Whose life and livelihood has nature threatened.

Think about the children not in schools,
They cannot study or play a fool,
Schools damaged beyond repair,
Can you imagine their despair,

Poor farmers with crops lost,
Who is going to bear the cost,
Who is going to help them re-grow their crops which perished,
Or replace livestock and pets so lovingly cherished,

What have we done today?
To help them not so far away,
Did we spare a prayer or a thought,
Did we give donations or gifts bought.

Or did we block it out ‘cos it is easy,
To not feel the guilt of us being greedy,
New Year was bitter sweet for me,
The count down just but a memory,

Nothing much to celebrate,
When the world is filled with hate,
Everyone being indifferent,
All I can do is to choose to be different,

Do not party or have a ball,
Instead try to celebrate small,
Have your family close to you,
Tell them “I love you“ and please be true,

Call old friends long forgotten,
Call old enemies and ask for pardon,
Let us start a new this year,
To live with love not anger,

I am not a party pooper,
But let us look at the situation in proper,
But maybe a change of heart is needed,
Maybe God’s advice needs to be heeded,

“Love your neighbour as yourself” God said
Let act on all promises made,
Promises made to ourselves and others,
Promises to God and all our brothers.

A Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year I wish to one and all,
Let us be different and stand up tall,
Let us remember our suffering brethren,
Not only enjoy all the merriment…. Alex 04 Jan 2007