Theodicy

I walk down the path.
I consider the beasts who
Suffer so, always
In fear for their lives. And the
Blind, deaf, lame, persecuted.

I consider the 
Spider who weaves her laid trap
And the predator
Who lurks in the forest, to
Take the prey captive and eat.

I consider this
And I realize the vain life
We live, with good and
Evil. I see that there is
Evil. And I know you ask

Why?

Does it really matter when God prepared
A paradise, and gave us a good law?
Could not man improve his station on Earth
If he just obeyed Christ and Paul's sermons?
Could not a better Earth---a fruit of life---
Make it all worth it? For if there is none
The world, I'm afraid, can't shed its pain.

To me, this world's cruelty
Is a constant reminder
Of our need for a better one.