( this piece came to me when I worked with the def and blind school in Arkansas. The perception of the said so called handicapped seemed much more acute than those of us who are supposedly whole.)
We travel many avenues
infinite crossroads are passed,
Never stopping to notice
the people who cross our path;
Maybe its the quantity
or maybe it is us,
Unless it involves our lives
we never seem to make a fuss.
For the death and heartache around us
is a river flowing past each day,
With the culmination of our travel
leaves us all quite insane.
If we pondered all the tragedies
that set roadblocks in our way,
Just looking for a moment
where joy will entertain and play.
The birth of a child
or the gift of a toy,
Cherishing the first steps
and first words will bring us joy.
These moments are cherished memories
and those are the moments heard,
While walking in a land of shadows
where children die by the absurd.
The poisoning of our youth
with drugs and social decay,
The prostitution and violence
can be seen as a movie being played.
We act as if it is a distance
that can never touch our lives
It seem to far to scare us
and can never erase our life.
But once it sets upon our shore
our hatred swells within,
Then every day becomes poison
including our family and friends.
Open your eyes to trouble
and extend someone your hand,
Enriching your life and theirs
before we disappear from this land.
For we are humanity's children
all brothers and sisters unite,
Fighting the evil around us
if we just open up our eyes.