Do What's Right--By Emile Pinet--Canada

Do What's Right

Africa's soil is stained blood red,
by those buried beneath its sands.
And as Ebola spreads unchecked,
compassion's rationed by strange hands.

Poverty seals the children's fate,
when both their parents die of Aids.
For hope’s now their sole guardian,
and what little chance they had fades.

Disease waits within the shadows,
where death carries on without pause.
And hunger hurts even in sleep,
shredding stomachs with teeth and claws.

Love's, a sister drinking water,
offered by her thirsty brother.
And truth’s, a frightened little boy,
that’s now both father and mother.

We watch their pain and suffering,
broadcast into our homes each night.
And yet, so very few of us
pick up the phone, and do what's right.

Emile Pinet was born in a small city, (Bathurst) New Brunswick, Canada, the third eldest of thirteen children, ten girls and three boys. He is the product of a semi-dysfunctional family, brought up by a physically abusive and controlling father, versus a loving, nurturing mother. Many of his poems reflect the uniqueness of nature, which he loves, and his poetic observations of life in general. Emile is 66 years old and has been writing poems since he was about 35. The ideas started to come to him rapidly one day at work-- he decided to write them down and express himself through his poetry.