Poem as Discourse on Tragedy

What would be the burden
To change someone's life
Make a huge difference
Pass along a loving gesture

Is it insurance
Insurability
Dirt and germs
Responsibility to that which has been chosen
Things we've always wanted
Versus the ideas of things
We thought might be nice

Who among us
Has the nerve
To live a life of charity
Is it just for the priests
Just for the guilty
Just for the people with means
How much means
Before meaningful
Can begin

How can we fix this part
The part that watches
The observer
The onlooker
To make way for the good intentioned
That actually moves
Makes waves
Holds hands

Does it matter
To anyone but the one that touches
And the one that is touched
Is helplessness just a balancing act
Between what is currently acceptable
And what we are willing to put up with
Or is there
A part of our heart
That knows things
Like right and wrong
Humanity
Peace
--
2/26/09