THE ACT OF GIVING

How could I afford to
Disobey that call?
A distant call, but
Insistent in the way
It rang out for help
Help for people, in need 
Whose voice had to be 
Heard and was heard and
Reverberates still,
This day and everyday
And if ignored who is
Deceived, the one who
Should be receiving or
The one capable of giving
Whoever summons me,
Has need of me or of
What I can do for them
So, I have no choice,
Except one, and that is 
To give everything that
I can, not until it hurts,
But until it feels good
Only then can I sleep
And not be afraid
Without a racing heart
Without self-inflicted 
Pain for running away
I have been on the other side
Waiting for a favorable answer
To my needs and it is not
Desirable to be in pain as
You hope for something
That you are sure will be
Denied and you made a
Pledge, a Divine thing, to
Be available forever if only
My need could be fulfilled
And so it is as I give freely
I am helping someone and
Helping myself for I feel
The contentment that
Giving brings and avoiding
The wrath should I not

Stanski
October 22, 2021 ^