*****

Recorded Reading (2:20): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mgslio1gpnnqac907hnj8/Worthy-of-Love.mp3?rlkey=3gktkr4fiz6sfofxi38yglnpv&dl=0

*****

Worthy of Love

You seem to need to be correct
Everybody does
And everybody has been right
If right there ever was

Something simple made them do
Exactly as they did
On some important level
Acted just as their good conscience bid

The teachings say it’s up to us
To compassion exercise
To see ourselves a brother soul
In every passing body’s eyes

Something one may never do
Who allows self to despise
The least among us — nor their
Preciousness clear realize

I do not question that you be
As right as I — what tale be long
Is that you told that tale beside:
That I must, too, be wrong

I am as right as you are
And, in addition, I
Am willing to admit
You have a place beneath this sky

The same one shelters all of us
The innocent, the weak
Ignorant and unfortunate —
Any there be of to speak

There’s not a one — no, brother,
Not a single one of those
With whom if you sat down to talk
You’d not discover knows

Some things which you do not
Which teaching significantly
Affects your world for better —
Go ahead and see

Just the medicine you needed
If you listen openly
Without dim prejudgments
Of limiting society

Not always asking yourself
Which of you’s worth more
Which of you’s more valuable —
Without keeping score

The merest blade of grass
In the sight of the divine
Possesses worth, as much
As yours or hers, or his, or mine

The world would so much poorer be
Without the contribution of
Even the least one of us
Worthy is of love

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S, or choose to donate by personal check. It will take about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts