Ethics

When I think back to my school days, it strikes me like an oddity
That courtesy and politeness became a rare commodity.
People in our days sometimes forget, or did they ever learn?
For them, it seems, the rules of conduct are of no concern.
Some people will say “our demography has changed”
But we get along much better when friendly words are exchanged.
Many people do not say anymore the words “thank you” “may I” or “please”
Those who taught them to us wanted the burden of life to ease.

When one holds the door open for another with respect
Acknowledging this nice and decent act would be correct
When I was in grade school, our first class in the morning every day
Was an ethics and civility lesson - how to conduct ourselves, what to say
To help elderly people carry a heavy bag or hold the door
To be ready to rescue anyone in need, run an errand or do a chore
Those lessons are still resounding in my mind until now
Loving our neighbors is not enough, we must act, and we learned how.

 Copyright 2010 Emile Tubiana