Bitter hostility, rancor, severe social poison, also

The harmfulness bred from hatred, too regularly

Riffles society as though naught but fame counts.

 

In better times, terrorists don’t bunk alongside

Journalists, actors don’t drug and rape women,

Urban streets aren’t theatre to ruthless murder.

 

If only we remembered to care about others

Like we manage ourselves, perhaps, odium

Would abate, longevity spread, peace arrive.