Beyond The Pale
We seem to be living in a world where sense is declining fast,
And where acts of sheer folly, (some would say madness), are unsurpassed.
Daily there’s someone doing something that could maim or kill them, and,
Simply doing so in order to be the first on sea or land.
They attempt to beat some speed record, better some endurance feat,
Climb a cliff face without any gear, walk over glass with bare feet.
Or they sail around the world on their own — yes, even youngsters too,
When none of it is necessary, nor sensible to pursue.
So many seem to want to leave their mark, have their moment of fame,
Be it due to ego, feeling unnoticed — and could we be to blame?
Partially, that is, given many are encouraged to do these things,
Or are fired up by being ignored in life, from which even worse springs.
But whatever may do the prompting, the fact still remains the same,
That folk are pointlessly risking life and limb, for some pointless aim.
Hence those deaths we hear of, those terrible results, those missing limbs,
That joy in the lives of risk takers, and their families, snuffs or dims.
And what for? Fame? Some cheap thrill? An experience? Even a dare?
Which makes one wonder: How much do some want to live? Where’s healthy fear?
Such isn’t worth losing limbs over, nor one’s life — yet, there folk go,
And surely guilt falls on applauders, who surely better should know.
Better to applaud those who do something worthy in society,
Those who find cures for diseases, ease suffering and poverty,
Yes, those who’re good role models, and whose contribution is worthy,
Those whose focus is others, and whose life is lived very humbly.
Yes, those who’re doing something constructive, not pointless, nor silly,
Like those Evel Knievels — adrenalin junkies — that just can’t see,
And who thus encourage others to go down that same mindless track,
Many to return terribly injured, or to never come back.
Yes, life’s too precious to risk, and can be gone in a whisk.