Better Angels of Our Nature

"Better Angels of Our Nature"--Greg Simpson, from "Unspoken"

He fell to his knees and he cried out for mercy
Heartfelt confessionals to an angry mob
But vengence was theirs as they bellowed for justice;
Death to the man who had sinned against God.

I joined in the chant, feeling so high and mighty
While pointing the finger from upon my throne,
Till I looked in his tears and I caught my reflection
And I knew that I could not cast the first stone.

Let the gavel fall slowly, though truth's been revealed
Sequester the jury for a moment to feel
In the Courts of Compassion, I hope we can appeal
To the better angels of our nature.

I walked along in my soft streets of plenty
She walked the alleys of anguish and need
While clutching my greed, I was struck by a vision:
But for the grace of God, that could be me.

So we gather in chambers of lofty ideals
Still debating the giving when handed the bills
And in the Congress of Kindness, I hope that we can yield
To the better angels of our nature.

Angels of mercy, angels of might
Angels of darkness, angels of light
Angels with voices that whisper so clear
Who do I lean to? Who do I hear?

We are building our world with a fevered emotion
While trying to keep it from coming apart
As we reach for the drink, will we still reach within us?
We won't have a hope if we don't have the heart.

And we're tossed in the gale of a moral decline
As we drink from the grail of society's wine
At humanity's table, I hope we choose to dine
With the better angels of our nature.