The Price of Humanity

By Ruhudeen Ali

September 6th, 2012

Yesterday I wanted eggs

to power my skinny legs

today I crave for chicken

as my body begins to lengthen

Years of supervision and play
sleepless nights with no pay
just to see me smile and be gay

I need a hundred pounds of meat a day
just to be bred and raised as a vicegerent of clay

But I have to build the mind before the spirit

and before the mind comes the body

so feed me tons of things

and do the same for my kin

Kill life to feed and grow mine
and destroy their homes that I may build mine

and rip off skins of animals to cover mine
and pillage the Earth to discover ores

to make tools to help with my chores
all these things I need of worth
just to make this all work

But wait, I still have more demands
I need a house and cars, plus trips to the sands of Qatar
I need an education to aid my contemplation
I need comfort in my deprivation
I need richness for meditation
that I may finally attain to that exalted station-

Still not there yet, the truth hasn't set
you see, we are the products of the sacrifices bled
for being in charge of this Home that was meant
to be the seat of vicegerency
incalculable is the cost to raise humanity

So you have to be the best that you can
it was the reason so much was given to you from the lands
for this high price we were raised
and the only way to pay back is to be worthy of praise

So reflect over all that went into making you
and secure yourself against what goes into breaking you
and live by what is best in the most honored hue
and praise God for Whom all praise is due.