Lebanon at the Center

.At the center of this terrible breakdown
Of the region and civilization’s meltdown
How can we protect one small nation
When there is so much confrontation
And everyone has a special vision
Of themselves in a leadership position.
 
With government corruption throughout
Because many politicians are sold out
Some to Arab kings or rich magnates
Others to religious leaders and potentates   
All of them vying for power as a goal
Over a section of the population to control.
 
The promise of gas and oil though far away
Keeps the sharks circling the national prey
As the clan leaders continue to promise
​Rewards and benefits that astonish
Instead of focusing on the many problems 
For both the Christians and the Moslems
Who confront poverty and humiliation
With little hope for salvation
In a country that cannot guarantee
A viable future for individual or family.

Lebanon is described as a nation 
When at present its a conglomeration
Of people who have too much false pride
In what they show and what they hide
Of their material wealth and possessions
And who’s who in the list of processions
They shout at each other and get upset
Over who sits in the first row near the pulpit.

With corruption and chaos as their muse
They don’t want order because they would lose
Privileges granted by who you know
Leaving regular citizens with nowhere to go.
 
We’ve got to end the ethical derision
Somehow resurrect a healthy vision
Of a different a kind of future and atmosphere
To replace the existing aggression and fear
With ideas of justice, tolerance and compassion
And respect for the other’s beliefs and confession
We have to return the practice of civility
Towards one another instead of brutality           
Because taking care of each other
Is the essence of this future we must usher
Especially at this time in the world of rising polarity
With nationalist leaders promoting religious disparity
Let Lebanon be an example for mankind
To find common ground and relations that bind
Regardless of religious preferences
And domestic tastes and other references
With sandy beaches and snowy Mountains
We understand contrasting geography
And how to bridge demography
So let us lead the way on this word stage
As an example of a people proud and brave
Who have conquered all kinds of hatred
And chosen to showcase this nation fated
To unite people and not to divide
To deliver a special message worldwide

We tried war once and luckily we failed
Let our lesson be the world’s answer unveiled.