You Don’t Know

 

 

You don’t know what you don’t know

Though you argue that you know,

Such an argument is baseless

And I shouldn’t have to tell you so.

 

You can know what you don’t know

But only if you know you don’t know,

When you know that you don’t know

That’s a step to getting in the know.

 

He that knows that he does not know:

That one is a child and can be taught,

Quite unlike the fool that does not know

And leaves us feeling quite distraught.

 

 

He that knows not that he knows not:

The same is a fool and must be shunned,

Of such are many of our leaders today

Who I wish were like King Solomon.

 

The wisest man that ever lived

Because he confessed that he didn’t know,

And by so admitting this to the One above

Of wisdom was given an abundant store.

 

Unlike our so-called gifted leaders

That wallow in self-important ignorance,

Solomon turned to the Leader of leaders

And in humility requested guidance.

 

 

You don’t know what you don’t know!

Tell this to our world leaders

That attempt to take on God-like status

But invariably are fakes and imposters.

 

You don’t know what you don’t know!

Tell this to the leaders in the church

That are obsessed with titles of importance

And becoming ineffective experts.

 

Pardon my harshness if you will

But some have long forgotten their calling

And given their misguided, self-righteous bent,

Many of their constituents are ailing.

 

You don’t know what you don’t know!

Members of Parliament, can you hear?

The draconian and austerity measures you bring

Are now too much for us to bear.

 

 

You don’t know what you don’t know!

Madam Prime Minister, are you listening?

I sincerely hope that you are still aware

Given the numerous trips you are making.

 

You don’t know what you don’t know

But you can if you are not a fool,

Learning ought to be a life-long endeavor

And the world is everybody’s school.

 

Stewart Russell © November 24, 2023