Compassion

Can I interest anyone in caring?

Someone’s Mother or Grandmother

Here on Poplar Street
is where some people
spend their time
on warmer days.

It’s probably too hot
inside their government
apartment, so here
she sits in the shade.

When I try to talk to
my neighbors about her,
they complain that she
is a welfare problem.

I try to explain that she
has been destitute for a long
time and has lost her ability
to care for herself.

They respond without
compassion as if helping
her would detract from them
as if they are any better.

They might point out,
she has a phone, and
shoes, a blouse, and a skirt
she doesn’ deserve.

© Now, James A. George compassion • welfare • poplar-street • cincinnati • ekphrastic-