Why Be Good? Poem by Kiran Pillai

I have been a good man
At least I like to think so.
Anything bad I did was forced
By circumstances and people.

I think I cannot be bad.
I am a good person inside
But, shadow is in all of us
Devil is part of us too.

I think I will never commit crime.
Maybe, I might if forced.
Or if the prize is too nice.
So, how am I remaining good.

I would like to remain good.
Do service and help people.
At times, I may not do so also.
Maybe I am not that good.

Why do we all remain good?
Work hard just to stay good?
Prize of being bad is too high.
We are used to pain of punishment.

I am scared of being punished.
I don't like being rebuked.
Maybe that keeps me good.
Fear of being cast out!

Is there goodness in me though?
What if there is no pain?
Will I still stay good all the time?
In that case, I am Good!

What makes me stay good?
Only power can determine that.
Give me absolute power.
Will I remain good then?

Probably let us retain hell.
Punishment after death is good.
Let us keep hell for that.
Life will be spent in good ways.

I understand the need for a hell.
And the so called devil.
Or even the karma that bites
Easier to live in a good world.