Compassion
I have been unwell
Very unwell
I am on the mend
It will take a while
I am grateful for modern medicine
Old fashioned care and concern
Including chicken soup
I am thankful I have known good health
I am thankful that when I am so tired, bone weary
I have a comfortable Day bed to curl up in
I am thankful that
When my favourite blouse wears through at the elbow
I can shorten the sleeves
And wear it for one more season
I am thankful I do not live
Clinging to a hillside of mud in a tin shed
Surrounded by threats
From humankind
From nature
I am thankful
That some of those living in such conditions
Find Compassion in others
It is shocking material poverty on this scale
Yet, in the midst of this decay
For a head to bow
For a heart to turn to God
For a soul to cleave to Spirit
For Hope to burn with the smallest flame
There in is wealth
Meek souls and True wealth
Meekness that will inherit the earth
Standing in the richest suburb
Do we see less poverty here?
Standing in a street scape in any city
Do we really see less need?
In Nightclubs, Casino’s and Stripjoints
Do we see less hunger?
The gut wrenching poverty like Guatemala
Is the honest exposure
Of our own shame
Some cry why does God allow
Gangs to bully
Predators to roam
Children to starve
Or dragged into slavery
Children to suffer violence and silent abuse
God weeps
God waits
For You
For Me
It is we who allow this
I allow this
Here and there
I do not follow God’s leading
I do not demand honourable leadership
I think more about me and mine first second and last
Well may the poor always be with us
To teach and reteach the lessons again and again
Until we learn
Our riches are held in Heaven’s Kingdom
In the deep, deep Love of God
Only then can we Understand God’s Mercy
And be stirred to pass on
His Compassion
Words and Photographs © Denise Stanford 2010
Within the Vine 