Straight Ahead

Our scientists work to discover
Wonder drugs which will cure all our ills
But I think the major problems of man
Will never be conquered with pills.

Man is the strangest of creatures
He is thoughtful and kind, and he prays
He speaks only of peace at his tables
But his wars keep the whole world ablaze.

And yet when you stop to consider
Whether you like it or not
Without that competitive nature
Where would man ever have got?

His medical strides are tremendous
He fights every illness he sees
But it's not from the love of well-being
It's from hatred of pain and disease.

He dislikes being faced with a limit
He tries always to break down the bars
He wants to travel unfettered
Now he's on his way to the stars.

Sometimes for a while you can rule him
And trample all over his rights
But when he finally decides he's had enough
His answer is simple-he fights.

Throughout all his ages of struggle
His long history of trouble and strife
He's been shown by the blood of his fathers
There are things more precious than life.

The freedom and peace of his loved ones
A desire that he never has lost
If his blood is demanded in payment
He'll pay it-no matter the cost.

He has dominated all his surroundings
He has conquered the elements too
He has fashioned machinery to serve his needs
He has the future always in view.

Yes, in spite of his faults and his foibles
I have faith in this creature called man
For when asked to perform these impossible tasks
He answers steadfastly-I can.

-CHARLES F. LOWE