Moral Compass

By Janae Smyth

We all live for something to fill in the space

Some live for hope of gods good grace

To never win whatever the case

Some live to be put in a kings place

Along the way dirt thrown in their face

Some live for the well known corporate race

Carrying lies and deceit in their briefcase

Some live for a steady family base

Tempted by red leather and lace

Some live for a different gods good grace

We all know the half full half empty debate

Reason or religion break into crossfire at a gruesome rate

Wrong or right oppositions always causing a fight

Take away the ambition and all you’re left with is light

Dark or light day or night

We all know at least one star will shine bright

Take away the eyes and nothing is in sight

Take away the ears and it’s as quiet as a silent night

So what are we if not to be observed

Blessed with consciousness it’s our duty to serve

But sometimes we forget to lead with love and leave the hate in the reserve

Then outbreaks the violence

More and more go silent

And we forget the man in the mirror is sentient

Yet we thrive off love and sentiment

We call this the human condition

And it’s full of contradiction

So I’d rather spend it on giving the good recognition

Even a city that’s been torn by human conflict

When it’s fallen down and derelict

Holds so much beauty you can’t miss it

Vibrant moss carpets the old stones

Vines and blooming bushes cover the war zone

The air is fresh and clean and free from ozone

Songs from the early birds silence the horror

And butterflies can’t see the true beauty of their colour

I think there’s a reason god gave man a mirror

So many good deeds tainted with a universal currency

For all the seeds of growth we don’t value equally

That neighbour with doors locked and eyes sour

Is hoping he doesn’t get robbed again living life by the hour

And that girl that stole all his valuables

Is trying to fund a life for her son as loving him is intangible

That boy then grew to become a lawyer

Just won a case for the plead of a murderer

His mom gave him a big heart and for that he saw her

That man only died after falling from a high stage

When the other dodged the punch he threw in a drunken rage

Why are we so quick to put others in a cage

He was only drinking to cope with the loss of his wife, trying to turn a new page

Struggling to let go he would never use sage

Some think she’s in heaven and others believe she’s just an ashy haze

And he still picked flowers for her grave

And the gardener gets upset for the plants he can save

Gives a hesitant closed lips smile and a wave

A little white lie a day they think will go a long way

And every story has two sides that will never join

Just as there’s two sides to every coin

Tails is good and heads is bad

Pleasing everyone will only make you sad

Don’t get me wrong I’ve done some shameful things I might add

And I’ll admit I’ve been lost

And I’ve learnt things come at a cost

So I took it upon myself to build my own moral compass

It didn’t come from a book held in a church

Nor is it written in laws by a man on his perch

Wealth is measured by the love you carry

Acceptance is not a fight you don’t need to parry

A day without laughter is a day wasted

Honesty is the best policy doesn’t matter if you’re hated

You get what you give in this world

But what would I know I’m just a girl

By Janae Smyth