By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2020

First published in Faith, Hope and Fiction (January 21, 2023)

When the world
does not have the ability or will
to fund its basic necessities:
food, clothing and shelter, and beyond that,
the fundamental things that help
sustain a humane quality of life,
inspire our dreams,
demonstrate our humanity,
uplift our souls,
better our character,
instill our passions and
spring our steps when we awaken each day;

When we do not meet the needs of
city soup kitchens, temples, churches,
homeless shelters or local blood banks, or
worthy organizations battling childhood cancer,
rehabilitating wounded veterans, feeding orphans,
placing foster children and saving the abused, or
non-violent organizations championing
justice, dignity, equality and opportunity or
battling discrimination, oppression and immorality, or
artists of all walks who challenge and inspire us
through music, from symphonies to street rap,
through literature, from epic novels to flash poetry,
through painting, from frescoes to street murals,
through sculpture and images, from statues to 3D printed works:

then truly are we impoverished and diminished
as human beings and as nations,
denying the very essence of who we are.