Thurman P. Woodfork

ALTRUISM VERSUS CYNICISM

When we had done more than we ought,
Followed the precepts we were taught
And it seemed to have been all for naught;
Was our only sign of regret a sigh?

Did we make every effort we could,
Simply because we knew we should,
For in our hearts we understood
Compensation awaited us on high?

Perhaps we did it for immediate reward,
Being extremely careful to record
Our good deed as we looked toward
Benefits right now and not by and by?

Or maybe we turned wryly away;
We’d give it a shot on another day…
There was precious little chance of pay…
And, really, who needs pie in the sky?