In a parallel place, I found teachers were tops.
Here, we worship our athletes and film stars.
Entertainment is great.
When education’s first rate…
…then, we all can sit down to enjoy some.

In that place that I went,
politicians were sent
to the Capital to represent folks.
Here, I’m sorry to say,
only money holds sway…
so our companies seek to control ‘em.

While I was there,
I saw companies care
for the great world that is (still) around them.
They’d realized long ago,
that Eco (not Ego)
would help them grow into the future.

Many folks there believe in a god.
Others have different opinions.
Doing GOOD every day,
helping out on the way,
are among many things they all agree on.

That place, like ours, is complex:
Different peoples, vast spaces and change…
They embrace the diversity of living things,
use their numbers for strength,
work together at length,
to solve issues which often confront them.

In a parallel place I saw progress,
based on empathy, respect and kindness.
I saw people investing in children
and nurturing the world they would give them.
No one went hungry or lived on the street.
Air was clean, as was soil and water.
Their elders were cherished.
Life, itself, was held dear;
Not material things, money or power.

The place that I found was not perfect.
They’ll always have things to work through.
But, their honest, hard-working, inclusive approach
will help show them the right things to do.
Perhaps it’s because of their women
Or because they all take the long view.
Whatever the reason…
‘twas refreshing and pleasing
Why can’t we do more things like they do?

In a parallel place I found teachers were tops.
because – of course – they can impact our kids so.
Rather than invest in the ones who guide children each day,
hawkers here’d sell ’em guns to… HELLO?!

Copyright 2013 Weylan Tiankong