To Care and Share (Chants from Walkabouts - 4)

Poem 33 of 230:  TO CARE AND SHARE 

(TUNE - IN THE KEY OF D MAJOR: 

D1 E1 F#3 F#2 G3 A1 A3 G2
G2 A1 B3 c#2 c#3 B1 B3 A2
D2 B2 B2 B1 c#3 c#2 B1 B3
D2 A3 A1 A1 A2-B3 A2 G2 G3
A3 B2 B1 B1 c#2 c#3 B1 B3
A3 B1 B2 B3 c#2 B2 A2 A3
D1 D1 B3 B2 B1-c#3 c#2 B1 B3
D2 A2 A2 A2 B2 A2 G2 G3
D2 B3 B1 B2 c#2 c#2 B2 B3
D2 A2 A2 A2 B2 A2 G2 G3

D1 D1 B3 B1 c#2 c#3 B1 B3
D2 A2 A2 A2 B3 A2 G1 G3
D1 B3 B1 B3 c#1 c#3 B1 B3
B1 B1 B3 c#2 B1 A1 A2 A3
D2 B3 B1 B2 c#2 c#3 B1 B3
D1 A3 A1 A3 B1 A3 G2 G3)

Within sunny California
    (Just a wisp of smog arriba),
Not far from L.A.’s Chinatown,
    A rich driver looks, with a frown,
At a beggar sat on a crate -
    Gaunt, it seems long since she last ate.
As the driver stops at the light,
    The woman moves her hand upright;
But, though the cap clasped holds small cash,
    The rich man shares not his large stash.

Yet, to all it is plain to see,
This beggar lives in poverty;
But, like a fifth of humankind,
Little help this woman will find.
For too selfish the wealthy fare
To help the poor - to care and share.

And, in Tijuana, Mexico,
    Another has no place to go -
It’s an hour before midnight,
    And he’s curled outside a shopping site:
“He is sick,” I’m told, passing by;
    “Him and the system,” I reply.
Then my hand to my pocket goes
    For all my coins - sixteen pesos;
Enough for three meals - beans and rice -
    But, for a home, it won’t suffice.

Yet, to all it is plain to see,
This pauper dwells in poverty;
But, like one fifth of humankind,
Small help this sick hombre will find.
‘Cause too competitive most fare
To change the scheme - to care and share.

In Bangkok and Barcelona,
    Bombay, Melbourne and Manila -
Such woes exist all round the globe:
    Poor food, poor clothes, and no abode.
These are Maslow’s essential needs,
    And they can be met - with good deeds.
The beggars all could leave the street -
    With some kit for body and feet;
But voted leaders cut the aid
    From which much housing could be made.

Yet, to all it is plain to see,
Too many live in poverty;
But, from the rest of humankind,
A lack of help they tend to find.
For too greedy most snug-ones fare
To fix the need - to care and share.

(C) David Franks 2003
From http://walkaboutsverse.blogspot.com