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What A Cruel And Wonderful World

"It's a cruel world". A saying I've heard many times and more often than not, accepted it and gone about my business and leisure. And yet, one of my favourite songs of all time is Louis Armstrongs 'What A Wonderful World'. But is this song merely a celebration of optimism over reality or a brave attempt to promote sensitivity and respect for living things? Maybe now that Mr Armstrong has no moral rights over his work, it's become just another in the long list of insincere corporate sucking no1 best sellers that passes the time of day and keeps us indoors with the headphones on.

Whether or not it's a cruel or wonderful world of course depends on your personal circumstances. For me, I've had times of great personal tragedy when life has been unbearable, when my god or whatever it is that dealt me my cards has really turned the screw. And yet, in the same breath, I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the life and health I have, and for the well-being and love of those around me.

Sitting god and co to one side for the time being, we down here live in houses, communities and countries where we have a constant battle between action and apathy, doing and leaving, good and evil. Daily we trip out of the door and it seems to me we never quite know whether we should smile at the people accross the road, or frown as a warning that they should keep their distance. Even my dog isn't too sure - sniffing the backside of another dog one minute, she's uptight and ready to fight the next.

Nowadays, when someone says "it's a cruel world", I feel fully justified in saying that it ain't necessarilly so, and where people and animals are involved, it is not the actions of 'the world' or 'god', it is the actions and inactions of other people that are cruel. And in the same way, it is the actions of people and their god(s) that make the same place so wonderful.

But then yesterday, a friend of mine told me his Mother was seriously poorly. For him and his family, the clouds are all grey, there is nothing but a cruel world staring through their window. I feel like taking my 'don't give up' enthusiasm along and buying him a copy of the Louis Armstrong song, but it's not enough. It seems to me that we can change the world we live in, but ultimately nature controls the trap doors.

Sitting back home and trying to get a universal angle on the life and death thing, I wonder if the sons and daughters of dictators, torturers and murderers, truly mourn their loss when they pass on? And at what point do animals not mourn the loss of their kin? Is it true that male adult polar bears eat baby polar bears? Are we happier and more complete being sensitive towards tragedy, or are we better off being dumb to it all?

I think personally we are happier if we learn to both deal with the cruelty and revel in the beauty of Mother Natures world. We can only do that though if we open our eyes to the tragedy we inflict ourselves and work to provide comfort instead of anguish. We need to challenge those who have got this wrong, those who steal whether through business or broken window, those who tease, torment and take apart other human beings.

So from now on? Well I think I am simply going to smile at the people across the road and see what happens. It's a start, but as easy as it sounds, there is one particularly nasty bastard of a neighbour I may well have to look out for ...

© darren poyzer 24/4/03