I Wish I Didn't Care

[NanceGreggs]

I wish I didn’t care that some children sleep
Hungry and cold, too weary to weep
Too hopeless to know that others could share – but won’t
I wish I didn’t care

I wish I didn’t know that some people die
Alone and friendless, without knowing why
Wanting to question why no one is there – but don’t
I wish I didn’t care

I wish I didn’t see what’s there on the news
Meant not to enlighten, but just to amuse
Designed to remind me what I could do – but can’t
I wish I didn’t care

I wish I didn’t know in my heart
That I am meant to do my part
To speak, to write, to sing, to plan
To do whatever it is I can
To give, to teach, to help – assist
Those who fight, speak out – resist
I wish I didn’t know I could
Change the world – if only I would
I’d be free, and unaware
If I could just not care

This is my burden, this is my task
To have to wonder, deign to ask
Why some have what is deemed their lot
Why some are valued, and others not

I wish I didn’t care about it all
Who lives, who dies, who heeds the call
Who listens, who hastens, who risks the fall
Of the concept, the dream
That we can be all that we seem
And never falter on our way to where we’re going, if only we go there together

I wish I didn’t care that my brothers are mine
That my sisters are sisters, subdued but sublime
That they are in my keeping, as I am in theirs
I wish I didn’t care.

But I do. And so do all of you.

It’s not about who they are; it’s about who you are.

Just care. A little goes a long way.

So try it.

[BlooInBloo]

1. You oughta put some of this stuff into a Collected Works book at some point. :)

[napoleon_in_rags]

2. SHIT. That is my response.

Today I went to a place.
Where all the cars were SUVs.
Shiny grills and fake facades.
And the offices where "nice"
Made to look wealthy when they were SHIT,
poor construction with dollar store gold trappings to fool the tenants
who make their money of fooling others.

And I saw people who gave their lives to this.
And I saw people who gave their lives to this.
And that was that, this was the actual story of their lives.

And I came home and listened to a sweet song I liked and went on DU.
And I read your poem.
You talking about poor children and the beauty of the song was in the spirit of your charity.

And I can say with complete clarity,
You may be the first wealthy person I talked to today.
no matter how poor you are,
(and I talked to some "wealthy" people today)
You may be the first wealthy person I talked to today.

and that is that, you have made your call, they made theirs. (SHIT)
you have made your call, they made theirs.

Peace.

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. Thanks Nance!

Caring isn't a sin as some people seem to feel it is. It is character of the heart which you have in spades!

[akbacchus_BC]

3. Nance, nicely said. I always read your posts, you are a gem on here n/t

[HappyCynic]

4. Fantastic post

As usual, another fantastic post.

[TheKentuckian]

5. More pure gold

Thanks Nance

[annabanana]

7. tear to the eye here...

What a beautiful way of saying "Ignorance is Bliss".

[Left coast liberal]

8. Nance - that was so lovely I just had to do a blog post...

http://coaxingwordsfromshea.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-wish...



Very touching. Thanks for starting my day with those thoughts.

XO

[NanceGreggs]

9. Thanks for adding this ...

... to your blog!

[Left coast liberal]

18. BTW - you're beautiful

XO

[redqueen]

10. I have tears in my eyes.

Even setting that to a funky rap beat in my head didn't help.

[DesertFlower]

11. great post. if everyone cared

the world would be a wonderful place.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. And, here's a nifty, non-political way to do something about it that actually works.

I apologize for adding this to a lovely OP and thread, but it seems apt to me.

http://www.kiva.org/

[NanceGreggs]

13. Great addition to this thread ...

... thanks!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. And, my continued admiration to you for graciously accepting it as such.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear Nance...

My god, woman, a poet too?

This is amazing, wonderful, inspiring, beautiful...

You know what I mean.

Thank you, sweetie!

K&R

[NanceGreggs]

16. Coming from you, CalPeg ...

... that compliment has special meaning.

[Stuart G]

17. Thank you..

[ccharles000]

19. k/r