For Goodness Sake

Do you good because you should?
The way you wish the world it would?
And so elect to be the change?
Do you good in goodness name?

Do you good because you ought?
Or 'cause you fear what would be wrought?
And only thing that quells desire,
Is your shyness of the fire?

Do you good for fear of lash?
Hoping that won't come to pass?
Do you good for greed of prize?
Confess if that's the reason why!

They say that mercy's heaven sent,
So ill your fill, and then repent.
'Cause if our wrongs aren't penalized,
Then karma's just a bogus lie!

If you said, "There is no law."
I'll wonder, "Why obey at all?"
'Cause if there was no scathing rod,
What would instill the fear of God?

If you said, "There's law for some."
Why not say, "In truth, there's none."
If favoritism gets you in,
Salvation's based on human whim.

'Cause if the law ain't absolute,
Then how can that be called the Truth?
If true it not be everywhere,
It might as well just not be there.

If good and bad end up the same,
Then aren't the good ones so inane?
Reflect, correct, review, abstain,
And quibble minor faults.  Insane!

A life thus spent, and what's the prize?
If equaled by those walking wide?
Ain't so-called wise, in truth, quite dumb?
If cause-effect ain't zero-sum? 

Why not do all you desire?

And live life with no heed of fire?

They say that mercy's heaven sent,

So ill your fill, and then repent.

But in that thinking lies the trap.
Perhaps from which no coming back.

A good is one without a two,

And good like that is hard to do!

'Cause truly good is 'cause you should
Not based on schemes that others would.
Not based on schemes that I devise.
Not based on others recognize.

So, do you good because of good?
Aligned with aught the spirit would?
Or do you good while inside's bad?
Lamenting fun you didn't have? 

And all this good is such a chore!

Scoffed and mocked as such a bore!

If none take record of our deeds,
Then what's the purpose fighting greed?

And if our deeds are duly writ,

But "sorry" can erase all this,

Then why don't those renowned as wise,

Teach nothing but apologize?

They say, "By 'sorry,' souls are freed,"

But this, I really don't believe.

And prob'ly best if I do not:

I'd cease from doing as I ought.

A more important question comes,
My evil will it rescue from.
'Cause where I stand, I can't remain:

How do you good in goodness name?

'Cause good is something far from me,

And good I don't know how to be.

Some may think my action kind,

But I'm the one who knows my mind.

Because my heart is evil bent,

My "goodness" is not innocent.

'Cause good is one without a two,

And good like that--so hard to do!

They say, "Just knock your head and bow."

And, "Focus somewhere on the brow."

And, "Know your faults, that's close to Dao."

But goodness, I still don't know how!

How do you good for sake of good?

Aligned with aught the spirit would?

I can do the outward act,

But truly good, I duly lack!

How do you good for sake of good?

And joyful doing as you should?

And turning no two jealous eyes

On those still vying for some prize. 

How do you good sake of good?

The way the Saints and Sages could?

Before the morn I fail to wake:

How do you good for goodness sake?