Why Bother?

I wish I could explain something
Which may be incomprehensible.

If I could explain an analogous situation,
And have the logic carry over,
I would feel that I'd tried my best>
Perhaps some light bulb of understanding
Would ignite above people's heads somewhere
Out there...
In the neighborhood,
At the store,
In the mall,
Around the park,
Inside the buildings,
Where people live and work,
Calling it "civilization."

There's a light one can see
In eye contact
When understanding has actually passed
Between two people.

It's a bright eyed recognition;
A teacher's most honorable quest.

"Is it going to be on a test?
When am I ever going to use this in real life?
What's so important that I need to bother learning?"

Curiosity is a vanishing human trait,
But men still climb mountains
Just because they're there.

Is our purpose
"To learn all that is learnable,"
Or what that just a line
About a antiquated and confused
Probe of science fiction machinery
In an old Star Trek episode?


I want to learn.
Learning improving the value,
Quality of my life.
I earn
What I learn.
Learning takes effort
And dedicated mental focus.


I don't want to live forever,
But, I would be happy
If I could I say,
" I have learned from my mistakes,
So as to decrease pain,
Sorrow, and suffering,
As well as increasing
Peace, love, and understanding.
To not duplicate pain or angst.

Is compassion
Such a noble trait?

Why bother?