Discrepancy

We have walked on the moon

And zoomed into outer space.

Messages travel the world

At a breath-taking pace.

We've landed rovers on Mars

And scoured the depths of the sea,

Snapped close-ups of Saturn

And explored to the nth degree.

We've studied the changing climate,

Prevented many a disease,

And invented artificial

Limbs and hips and knees.

We've made great strides fighting cancer;

New studies are taking root

In the area of quantum physics

And molecular biology to boot.

With all this amazing progress

We're still miles behind

When it comes to opening

The human heart and mind.

Misinformation takes precedence

Over rational thought;

Forgetfulness erases

The lessons we were taught.

Awareness, compassion, empathy…

Where have they gone?

Distrust, fear, and hatred

Ruthlessly live on.

It's almost as though some governments

Are insidiously in sync

At being flagrantly negligent

Of encouraging people to think.

More than ever it's crucial

To distinguish truth from lies.

It's incumbent on us

To open resistant eyes.

How do we treat other people?

Our human actions show,

That despite our advancements,

We have a long way to go.

(9-13-15) By Bob B