what’s the world coming to these days
when the strongest country flees
and a terrorist holds up his gun
smiles, says he comes in peace
what’s the world coming to these days
that men rush to cling to a plane
even as it thunders, taxies, takes off
and drops them like red rain
what’s the world coming to these days
when teachers lock up their schools
and little children now must learn
that education is against the rules
what’s the world coming to these days
when women are terribly told
this gunman here, he’s your husband
if you’re more than 15 years old
hark what’s the world coming to these days
and what secret pacts led to this?
whose clean hands are stained with blood
whose pockets line this abyss?
aye what’s the world coming to these days
to abandon an entire people thus
with a shrug of the shoulders, a toss of the head
and not much more of a fuss
woe what’s the world coming to these days
heed then this shameful pity
today a country's cries fall on deaf ears
but they curse us till eternity.
(Pic courtesy: Zabi Karimi/Associated Press/NY Times)