Dead is the killer, the headlines roar, Gone is the scourge of the West. But the age is young, and breeds anew A second monster to detest. These things occur Because they can.
When sunshine covers half the earth, In multiple degrees of shade The dark is ever-present too. The dark can never be gainsaid.
Priests and parents abuse their trust, Officials abuse their authority, Celebrities trash hotel suites And louts descend to criminality. These things they do Because they can.
Corporations lie and cheat, Exploiting poor and sorry souls. Governments too spin grubby tales, Governing only for the polls. These things they do Because they can.
Nations, moved by fear, neglect their own And neglect their peers, or worse - Discriminate, subvert, deceive, Inflict atrocities, bully and coerce. These things they do Because they can.
How is this so? The rebellious will, Capacity and capability align: The loaded gun, the empty room, The present victim, the intent malign. These things we do Because we can.
No creature is at all exempt: In a worldwide web we’re caught. I too deny my fellow man, Self-indulge, slander and distort. These things I do Because I can.
Then can we blame the universe, or gods? Mere opportunity, it seems, creates a crime, As a gas expands, given space, And as work expands, given time. These things they do Because they can.
There is a law, it seems: If something can occur, it will. Capacity breeds capability, Which in turn gives birth to will. Do things occur inevitably Because they can?
The living, breathing universe Must fill its lungs or die. So must we fill the void with choice: The challenge demands reply. This we do Because we can.
To protect us all, it’s said, Our masters (all-wise) legislate And forbid their subjects choice; But choose we must, it is our fate. This they do Because they can.
The majesty of life is such That other ways abound. Within this balanced world This is where humanity is found.
A man stands up for what is right. They mock and nail him to a tree, But he forgives to prove his point: To show there is another way. This he does Because he can.
Another – Prospero - torn from his home And exiled most cruelly Subdues the tempest of his soul And sets his enemies free. This he does Because he can.
And I? I too must be kind and true And subdue my inner Caliban, Making each action demonstrate The inner muscularity of man. These things I’ll do Because I can.
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