Better than Most

 

 

Have you ever been inundated

With situation after situation

And wonder to yourself

As to why all this oppression?

 

Things in and around the home

Keep on breaking down,

And you smile as each one is fixed

But then comes the inevitable frown?

 

And you begin to wonder

Concerning what will be next

And the answer comes quickly

With another reason to be vexed?

 

The car begins to act up

When you can least afford it

And you may have to wait on a part

Hence, it still cannot be fixed?

 

Add all this to regular problems

That plague us every day

Especially in this COVID-19 season

Where little is going our way?

 

And you become so depressed

That you ask, “Why me?”

And no answer seems forth coming

At least, none that you can see?

 

Well, I have got news for you

That might be difficult to swallow

Especially when indications are

There might be more to follow.

 

You are better than most

Though you might not believe this

And of almost eight billion people

You are high up on this list. 

 

 

 

If you have somewhere to live

And at least one daily meal

Then you are better than most

Though you may still squeal.

 

Clothes on your back

And several changes of clothing still?

Well, you are better than most

Though you think it is all uphill.

 

Our appliances that go bad

After serving us for many years

To billions would be luxuries

Seen through their veil of tears.

 

 

Their food stores and restaurants

Are mounds of garbage dumps

Through which they frequently forage

Like animals on the hunt.

 

If you are living in Barbados

Then you are better than most

For in many countries across the world

Billions cannot make our boast.

 

We are still likely to complain

If it’s too hot or there’s too much rain

But the fact of the matter is,

We are better than most all the same.

 

 

What we often see as garbage

Is a less fortunate person’s utility

And you can visit any garbage dump

And you will most likely see.

 

Better than most is all I am saying

And I do not mean to boast

But just to state the sobering fact

That we are better off than most.

 

Stewart Russell © December 30, 2020