A Common Destiny
(a poem based on Ecclesiastes 9:1-12)
I reflected and concluded,
Both for righteous and the wise,
Love or hate awaits them,
Whatever's in God's eyes
Everyone goes somewhere,
The good, the bad the same,
Just one destination,
The blameless and the blamed
Those who do the right thing,
And those who do the wrong,
Clean ones and the unclean,
No difference when they're gone
Then there's those who offer,
And others who do not,
They all have equal endings,
Their bodies all will rot:
As it is with good ones,
As with bad, it's said,
Those who swear and promise,
And those that hold their pledge
One evil fate awaits them,
They're all designed the same,
Living hearts as evil,
As those without a name
Anyone who's living,
Carries with them hope,
A living dog is better,
Than a lion lying broke:
Those alive know dying,
Is what waits at their end,
Those now dead know nothing,
Rewards their way don't wend
Their names are now forgotten,
All actions lost in time,
Their dislikes and their likings,
Have faded with no sign
Their jealousies unenvied,
The parts they played all done,
Not one thing that happens,
Can change under the sun
Go, feast and drink aplenty,
And love all that you do,
God is most approving,
Let good days come to you!
Wear linen as your clothing,
Pour perfume on your hair,
Believe in Jesus only,
God favours you and cares
If you've a wife, then love her,
And love all those in sight,
Do as God commanded,
It's meaningless though, right?
This is your lot, your labour,
Whatever your hands seek,
Do it, work, be mighty,
In death there'll be no keeps
No labour there, no planning,
And knowledge is all burned,
Wisdom has all vanished,
But sun shines on these words:
Races aren't won by runners,
Battles can cede to weeds,
Bright sparks aren't all wealthy,
On wisdom you can't feed
The learned aren't all favoured,
Fate's set by chance and day,
The hour, when it's coming,
No one can tell or say
Fish are trapped in harsh nets,
Birds are caught in snares,
People, once grabbed by evil,
Can fall if they don't care.