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Need – Two Views

 

PERCEIVED NEED

A perceived need to make this hotel larger
in order to cosset hundreds more guests
in luxury suites, a swimming pool, gym
and unheard-of facilities
to ensure our reputation unchallenged rests.
So down we must dig – four floors would be best.
And on top of the roof, another four in this quest.
No noise or inconvenience must disturb current guests
who must always remain in obsequious comfort and oblivion.

A DESPERATE NEED

The next programme on TV was the Evening News.
Scenes of horrendous devastation:
remains of buildings and homes in rubble;
refugees – women and children,
maimed and hungry, homeless,
in queues for something to eat.
It’s hard to believe that human misery like this
inhabits the same planet
in the same time frame.

January 2024