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Yes, I see this good thing before me

That you would have me do

And I know how important a priority it will seem to you

But I can’t allow anyone to pretend

Before all these very different women, men, and trends

That there are not other good things to be done in the world

And my hand might rather choose some other good to hurl

And it too is as precious in its priority as a pearl

Though not the good thing to do

As was selected and chosen by you

It is not always given to tell others when to do a good

It is not always given to tell others what good they should do

But rather given that they measure their own aptitudes, inclinations, inspirations, and gifts

To decide when, where, and how they will give the world a lift

Not everyone is fitted to do every good there is to be done under the sun

But don’t pretend that the good they’ve done, is none

Just because they have not chosen the good you wished at that moment done

Goodness is pure, stands alone, and to no religion does it actually belong

Human personality tries to kidnap it from its true neutral home

And put it in a vessel, like a present, to wrap it up

To call it the gift of Islam, Christianity,or Buddhism,while bidding men to drink of its cup

Prostituting the neutral good to have their say in the world

And feelings of “righteousness” and “Holiness”-for vanity’s sake

While mixing it with prejudice and hate

Which always leaves teardrops and bloodshed in its wake