Rascal in Me

By Bhaktimarga Swami

An invisible virus – not here to please
Has locked us all in a very deep freeze
The source of which is our very own fault
Mistreatment of animals is the cause of the halt
Think of the chicks crammed in one place
Think of the cows all tight in one space
Think of the bats that are in your soup
Think of the pigs all killed in a group
Think of the flesh of an ape as your lunch
Think of the dog on a plate as your brunch
Get down to the root, yes we are the cause
Blame it on God – please take a pause
The shop and the office are now closed down
This is reality all over the town
People are keeping 2 metres away
Suspicions have risen – there’s little to say
Responsibility lies in our very own self
Pointing the finger should be put on the shelf
Nature lashing out, she’s just had enough
Karma does strike for all the bad stuff
When will we awaken to the beck and call
Pay attention to what makes us fall
What can be done for this predicament
Perhaps make *respect* something permanent
I wonder what lesson we will learn from this
When the storm blows over will we change or miss
When will we feel for the sick and those who’ve passed
How long will such sentiments really last
We can live in the gloom declaring our doom
Or shine like the sun or a full moon
Make that change that you ought to be
Kill the dark demon, the rascal in me