We all see it. The Pope and I wonder “why ?”.
Pet owners walk right by
the unsheltered homeless
on streets where they lie
on cold pavement to pillow their heads.
Then stroll on home
to put the doggy in his doggy bed.
We all see it. The Pope and I wonder “why?”.
Children hunger for safe water, safe schools
and safety from gun play.
No leash on gun violence to save innocent lives.
While redesigned leashes protect thyroids,
keep our dogs safer than our children
who remain threatened by lead water and bullets.
We all see it. The Pope and I wonder “why?”.
Children and teachers drill “Run, hide, fight”
barricading doors, fearing for the day to come
when they will fear for their lives.
Trainers and doggy educators face no such threats.
Do animal shelters run such drills?
Would we permit such atrocities there?
We all see it. The Pope and I wonder “why?.
Pantries struggle to feed the working poor.
Tiny pets sit in purses on shopping trips to buy
shoes and jewels and more and more, always more
including doggy treats, and doggy sweaters, and doggy toys.
If only the needs of children and the poor
were handled with such concern.
We all see it. The pope and I wonder “why?”.
We mean no offense. We question the intention.
We unleash the suggestion there is a reason
we all see it. There is a reason to explore
the millions spent on pets that drives
a breach in social accord
played upon by those who seek to sow more discord.
Perhaps pet owners fill pantry shelves,
schools, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens
with needed goods and volunteer hours.
Perhaps pet owners are teachers and preachers,
nurses and social workers, bankers and barmaids
who offer their services to all in need of them.
Perhaps they, too, are in need.
Perhaps the loneliness engendered
by 5G speed-brokered connection,
and hanging on to a blue planet
speeding to fiery destruction
is soothed by a purring cat, or by stroking a dog’s fur.
Perhaps walking a leashed pet is the only control
they can imagine, the only comfort they can take.
Perhaps a generation splitting apart
heart by heart, takes heart from keeping
one friend, furry or not,
safe and alive,
happy and well.
Perhaps that pet fills their well
with love, repair and loyal care.
Perhaps we should all leash our emotion
and fear, and care for ourselves and one another
as we care for our pets.
Pet owners surely know this better than most.
They already have the skill to love and protect.
Unleash love. Harness loving acts. Save the world.
We all see it. The Pope and I question “why not ?”
annarino writes 