empathic

 

there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t lament

for the pain, anguish and sadness of someone else

 

sometimes tears just begin to trickle down my cheeks

and not always do i recognize from whence and why

 

being an empathic individual is sometimes a burden

but i do not regret my heart, my caring

 

someday, those of us who are of the like, will change

the world for the better

 

a bovine accepts its journey, a foul, a fish, a caterpillar into

a butterfly, a canine, an eagle, all know of their journey

 

we, humans, still question why and for what reason

we exist in this mundane sojourn

 

we do have a purpose, if only but an open hand, a piece of

bread, a smile...

today i am grateful

 

today i saw a bird whose wing was injured,

t’was rustling about couldn’t get off the ground

 

saw my neighbors canine child that couldn’t walk

for neuropathy has stolen his gate

 

a child being pushed in a wheelchair stroller by mom,

child’s hand curled like a claw, neck and head bent

 

an elderly woman shuffling her feet with a walker,

and i opened and held the store door open for her

 

as i was driving home, went passed a graveyard, noticed

a young lady sitting at a head stone, a U.S. flag draped

 

made it home this day, sat at the base of my maple tree,

 pondered, wherefore is my heart and spirit not to be grateful