If Not Now: When?

I can’t stand it because I see all of the negative parts. The broken hearts and hesitant starts the calloused compassion that doesn't disturb the righteous' sleep.

Stand it, though, I know I must preserve my trust that we are so much more than dust and removing compassion's callouses is a promise we can keep.

It's just; the troubles roll in waves, heroes cower as the mad man raves and our innocents sleep in early graves as our shock-numbed compassion decorates our conscious with colored swatches.

I know I cannot save them one and all. Pain's a bully playing hardball Greed, hunger, arrogance are here for the long haul Now that I see clearly; how can I be one that stand and watches?

I hope you join us, we upstarts. With us, reinforce ramparts, bringing compassion in by handcarts Saving just one is a start; take action- there's no time to weep.

~~~~~

I wrote this poem in response to James & Oneg's Summer Writing Challenge Extravaganza. I was tagged to participate in the fifth challenge of the series.

Theme: "You’ve Got Mail! Challenge: start a story/poem with the last line of an email or letter (or in my case- text) you recently received." The line that starts my poem comes from a friend's text I received this week. (Thank you, Eric)

Check out all the prompts and rules below.