The truth of this poem haunts me. I wish I had written it. - poetheart 09/02/01
I am a debtor, so are you -
To spread what light we have,
In every thing we say and do-
In every thing I am.We dwell within a world today-
Where many hearts are dark
To knowledge, art, the gift of words
We must needs stir a spark."But! no one cares," some do protest
They care not for our work-
We still must strive to do our best-
Our duty not to shirk.For media, computer games,
Have robbed the youth today
Entrancing them the books to shun
And wasting time away.For time, most precious of our gifts
And minds...our great resource-
Are daily wasted in our land-
Which leaves US no recourse.To give our all to capture hearts
With literary skills-
And stir a hunger for the arts-
Manipulate their wills.You ask me, "Why? tis not my fault-
The world is not my liege-
To those with gifts, as we possess
There is Noblesse Oblige.
by John R. Yaws