richards odes

Going With The Crowd

All of us feel comfortable going with the crowd

With our friends around us shouting out aloud.

There’s lots of strength in numbers, we’re vulnerable alone

Is it any wonder that we’re scared when on our own.

We’d do almost anything to be accepted with the cream

But careful, being popular is not all that it may seem!

Crowds are always mindless and can be roused to hate

And when you want to duck out, it may be too late!

The crowd that cheered our Saviour as he was passing by

Less than one week later called for him to die!

Were they evil people or just so easily led

That they would do exactly what a rabble-rouser said?

People do, within a crowd, the most appalling things

Where on their own they’re angels, almost sprouting wings.

You’ve seen it at a football match with mindless racial chants

Or at those Nazi rallies with Hitler’s evil rants.

Never go along with things just cos others do

As good old Polonius said, “to thine own self be true”

You may not be so popular but you will always be

Just the sort of person our Lord would want to see.

Lord save me from doing things because they’re popular

And help me stop my fellows before they go too far.

I must not be a sapling that bends to every breeze

I should be like an oak tree doing what You please 

Let me be the one who speaks for those who have no voice

And also the protector for those with little choice!