Poem: Why Not Then, But Why Not Now? Audiobook

Why Not Then, But Why Not Now?

by Ruben White 

In a land where promises danced,  

“Forty acres and a mule,” they pranced.  

But the ink dried up, the dreams went flat,  

Leaving folks to wonder, “What’s up with that?”  

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” — Emily Dickinson

They took the land, returned it with glee,  

To the old masters, sipping sweet tea.  

“Sorry, folks, we’ve got bills to pay,”  

While the dreams of freedom just faded away.  

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Now they’re saying, “Cut the aid, oh please!”  

As if hunger and health are just minor unease.  

“Why not then?” we ask, with a wink and a nod,  

“Why not now?” Let’s give them a prod!  

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Like a broken record, the cycle spins,  

Stripping away what little hope begins.  

“Let them eat cake!” the chorus now sings,  

While we’re left here imagining better things.  

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

Oh, the irony drips like honey from a comb,  

They built a castle, but won’t let us roam.  

“Weren’t we promised?” we shout with a grin,  

“Let’s shake the rafters, let the change begin!”  

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi

So let’s gather our voices, let’s shout out loud,  

With laughter and wisdom, let’s draw a crowd.  

“Why not then, but why not now?” we proclaim,  

Together we’ll rise, ignite the flame!  

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker

In this tapestry woven with threads of the past,  

We’ll stitch up the wounds, make the future last.  

So here’s to the struggle, the fight, and the cheer,  

For a world where justice is finally here!  

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” — William James