WHO CARES?

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 448, 22 February 1890, Page 8

WHO CARES?

(Suggested by watching the passers-by in r the city). Who cares how many hurrying by Are earning loads of' sorrow and sin Weary and fainting, ready to die, Sick with the bustle, mad with t" e din; Hopelfss, heartsore, footsore, weak, dfearmg death, they else would se. k, Hurry and turmoil, hustle and strife, A hungry push for the bread ofLfe. Who cares how many hardened men, Turned to stone through cruel wroDg, Were trodden down rose up and then Beat back others as they grew strong? Grasping, pitiless, stern, and cold, Nerer smiling on aught but gold : Teaching others in this world’s fight, Gold is friendship and “mighi makes right.” Who cares how many clothed in shame Once were as pure as the snow from heaven ? A taunting jeer, a storm of blame Came imtead of the word Forgiveu 1 Scorning, mocking! d< sperato woe, Then only one dark way to go ; A well -fed time while the bloom did last, Then the draggled wretch that lia« just gore past. Who cares how many noble lives Went to wreck for want of a friend ? A timely word ! the love that strives To help the object to ascend. Patient watching, tender aid None would give or were afraid. Now a push, or a word unkind, Agrafe before, and a waste behind. Who cares how many happy youths Aimless drift with the ebbing tide ? Loosely holding to honour, truth, To cull the blossoms at the side ; Laughing, heedless, kind and gay, Throwing life’s best chance away ; Sowing for the future tares, All unheeding, and who cares? Hurry and hustle, turmoil and din, Weary feet and brain o’envrought, A jeer for tho weak and a frown for gin Springs fair promise, yielding nought, Hoping, fearing, pressing cn In a crowd, and yet alone Willi a smile, a tear, a sigh, Men and women hurrying by.