Searching the world for answers

They seek it here, they seek it there...

A wounded wild beast with survival instincts
Clinging to life with every painfully drawn breath
Chained by paw, paces morosely back and forth
Emaciated, dishevelled and the buzzards circle low
Animalistic mind driven by pain and need to be free

As the World turns another soul ascends to starry sky
Ripped from his body with a sharp knife; thrust deep
Dropping to the ground, where the innocent lies prone
Blood pools; spilt by a troubled teen's callous whim
The offender runs scared, to continue his journey in life

Across the deep blue ocean, on a far away lonely isle
A young widow weeps as she replaces her telephone
Her unborn child kicks out as it feels her sad distress
Stroking her belly as she weeps; unconsolable in loss
Another casualty in the fight of a belief; a bright future

On an cold Winters night, remembering the loss of many
A silently moving crowd gathers, brightly lit candles in hand
Young children, elderly people, teenagers, single and partnered
Hand in hand, a circle forms; joining all across the land, mourning
For a few moments all differences are forgotten, instead they unite

Trekking across many miles pilgrims seek the solace of thoughts
Their sandaled feet scuffing across the dusty, arid barren desert
Stretched before them a shimmering horizon covering many miles
Covered in dust and grit, they trudge on, searching for a meaning
The only sounds are of quiet chanting and weary soles on sand

Environmentalists struggle with logging crew, protecting trees
Researching the ozone layer, distributing precious information
Their battle long and hard as we quickly consume limited resources
At the end of each weary day they gather, talking of progress
Another day dawns on the morrow, many more they aim for us to see

Somewhere in the ghetto; dark of night, a small child cries no more
The babes last breath smothered by rough tobacco stained fingers
Brothers and sisters listen to the silence, terrified but knowing
Waiting for the screams of mother when she returns from work
Silent as their father walks from the babe's room, bottle in hand

A hospital bed, empty as strangers gather personal possessions
Quiet whispers exchanged in the dead calm of a silent ward
"Sad, but she suffered so. Such a kind soul. Poor family."
Sentimental things, cards and flowers all in a bundle in a white room
In the morgue, on a steel table, a body lies; a smile upon her face

Leaders of countries meet around a noisy conference table
Littered with papers, clicking pens and important documents
Translaters interpreting as click cameras flash and whir
Discussing current events, policies, legislation and laws
Politicians proclaim their message like whores on a corner

Vein bulging as needle pierces skin, plunger slowly pushed
Liquid gold, heaven as warmth spreads, infuses throughout
Purple indigo blue and orange yellow green; colours of a dream
Hallucinations, floating escape and a new world of reality
Relaxed body slumps, unkempt, unnoticed in a tiny room

Beside an untucked bed, kneels a small child, four or five
A small prayer, "Dear God, please look after Daddy. Amen."
Kissing Daddy's pic goodnight, he tucks himself in warmly
Hearing Mommy's distant cries through his bedroom wall
His sleep undisturbed by gunshots, grenades and bombs

A religious zealot prays on his swollen, scabby scarred knees
Unaware of his surroundings or any pain; silently praying
As the prayer hour ends he shuffles away on his small stumps
Carrying his prayer book, begging bowl and tattered blanket
All in the name of the search for the endangered species; peace