GLORY

The shame of glory is that the medals

Are not pinned upon the right breasts

The peasant who toils in the sun

The wind the rain and sometimes the drought

Where would we be if they produced no food

Their duties a matter of life or death

Has any world leader gone to the fields

Pinned a medal on a farmer’s chest

Because of valor and the lives he saved

How about the teacher who works late hours

Teaching our children how to survive

In a world of drugs knives and guns

How about the nurse maintaining vigil

Throughout the night, matter of life or death

Doctors battling germs of fatal diseases

Waterman plumber and the garbage man

Firefighter patrolman and policeman

Their duties a matter of life or death