Man versus God: The Truth about Us

Peter Legge has a copy of an anonymous poem which "often seems to fit the struggle of humanity".

He shared the poem in "How to Soar With The Eagles".

The poem takes us through pain, sin, hate, hell, wars, despair and disaster ....but, finally reveals the truth about us - Who is to blame and who is to take responsibility?

I walked today through the slums of life,
Down the dark streets of wretchedness, and of pain.
I trod today where few have trod
and as I walked I challenged God.

I saw the sots in the bar rooms.
I saw the prostitutes in the dance halls.
I saw the thieves as they picked pockets.
I saw men and women devoid of life,
living in a world of sin,
and above the din I whispered, "Why God, Why?"

I walked today down the lanes of hate,
Hearing the jeers of bitter men,
Hearing the names as they cursed and spat
"Dago, Nigger, Kike, jap."
I saw the defected men they stoned.
I felt the anguish of their cries.
I saw them as they slapped the lonely,
as they turned their backs on human needs.
Snarling, growling were the fiends of hell.
These, God called his sons!
Gasping for air, I cried "Why God, Why?"

I walked today through wars of grim dregs...
over graveless men.
I saw the dead, the crucified, the headless,
the limbless, the pleading, the crying.
I saw the pain, the waste.
I smelled the odor of rotted flesh.

I saw the children gathered round..watching naked, hungry, weeping, diseased, dirty....
The baby trying to nurse from a dead mother.
The ruins...the agony...the despair!
Disaster..........disaster............all around!

Blinded with tears, I fled down these streets.
I stumbled, then stopped.
I shouted "Why God, Why?"
Why do you let man sin, hate and suffer?
Unmerciful Father! God, are you blind?
Are you wicked and cruel?
God, can you watch and do nothing?
Why must this be?

The world grew silent.
I awaited reply.
The silence was heavy.
I started to tremble.
I waited long..haft rebuking, half fearing,
Then I heard from close behind me
"Why.....Man.........Why?"

~Anonymous