Why, oh God, Why?

In the countryside

Away from the city

A new life he found.

A step unknown

Where it would lead him,

Where he would go

Or end up.

The small, a raucous odour

Cows, sheep and hens

Made his nose turn

And his stomach wrench.

Why? was the question

He so often asked himself

Being a man to whom animals

Bore no delights, or, if anything

Fear!  “I could have had a nice job

Nine to five in the office”

A simple carefree life.

Oh, God, why?

In the city

Away from the countryside,

Away from the peace, the quiet

Into the bustle

People everywhere,

Noise, pollution cars.

No one can stop,

No time for anyone else

Surrounded, yet lonely.

Does anyone care?

Why here?

Where’s the peace,

The calm, the quiet?

“How I’d love to be in the country

Surrounded this time by nature.”

Why here, oh God, why?

26^th October 1991, Leeds, England.

-Richard