Reality is not pretty

I see the ruts and creases highlighted by the dirt on the young girls face
I see the helplessness and destitution resonating with tears in her eyes
I see her tatty ripped and torn clothes caked in mud and grime and echoes of her plight echo in my mind
How cruel and careless humanity can be, to those that their eyes don't see
Avoidance of these issues people race to switch over their TV screens
Images to upsetting and far to obscene for fragile sensitive souls you see
Someone once told me they would not by my book on poetry because it was upsetting to read
They did not need more bringing down and being faced with reality that causes them to frown
They want happy diversions to keep away the pain and keeping reality away
So they can live in their blissful bubble, unaware of any trouble
Sanitised from life itself, unaware of the suffering happening to everyone else.
Yes I know this is not positive and upbeat
I know this is sad and can be horrifying
But this is reality and it is not always pretty
But that's only because of our flawed humanity
Chooses not peace and love but hate and brutality.