Is It Hopeless?

To the west,

I see the ocean, a mess.

To the east,

I see the dirty streets.

Down south,

What else but racial strife.

To the north,

I see campus fights.

Everywhere an American hand reaches,

It reaches only in vain.

The U.S. budget is deep in the red,

And everywhere so many to be fed.

So many say God is dead, so many.

But is it hopeless?

I have the desire to change.

War to peace, hate to love.

But who am I? What right have I?

To think these thoughts.

I am only one of a billion occupying,

My minute corner of time.

But I am, I feel, think, hope,

Want, need.

If I can add one idea…

If I can touch one person’s heart….

Then I have…

Written by Keith E. Maynard, 1971, Tucson, Arizona.

Revised February 19, 2026.