Oblivious

Oblivious

Oblivious means “unmindful”
“Unconscious,” “unaware”
But more than that, the meaning of
The word is “I don’t care”

A lack of understanding from
An inability
To walk a mile in another’s
Shoes for them to see

The way things are from a viewpoint
That isn’t just their own
To wear another’s shoes is a
Trait that is rarely shown

The root of the oblivious
Much like with many flaws
The reason, motive, explanation
Influence and cause

Is twofold: first, our nemesis
The Ego of the mind
The little self-important voice
That makes everyone blind

To other people’s challenges
Their struggles and their pains
The Ego is oblivious
To all but its own veins

Second is the need to always
Seek things of comfort
Most would not willingly walk
A path of ache and hurt

Most would not stray from their own
Nice painless and smooth road
In order to walk rough terrain
And bear a heavy load

Oblivious cannot relate
They need a doctor’s note
And not just any kind, they need
What a specialist wrote

Oblivious asks “Why?” but cannot
Glean from your reply
The answer that they’re looking for
Because they won’t apply

Your situation to their own
‘Cause they won’t sacrifice
Stepping out of their own mind
To pay another’s price

Do not fret over these folks
Instead, have sympathy
Because despite all of your chains
With open mind, you’re free

While they are slaves and prisoners
To their own selfish needs
And we all know where that smooth and
Oblivious road leads

                               ~Miro

What Goes Around

What Goes Around

A couple years ago, someone
Had opportunity
To help me out but didn’t ‘cause
They were just too busy

They say that things that go around
Will some day come around
Two years later, this came true
When this person had found

Me at the exact same place
That they had been before
And there they stood where I had been
Outside of a locked door

The irony was lost on me
Until they started speaking
Talking of the screw-up that
Had led them to now seeking

Entry into this building
The same one that I tried
To get into two years ago
But no one would abide

Every reason that they gave
To be allowed access
Was the same that I had given
But to no success

They smirked and said, “Sorry, can’t help
There must be reasons why
You can’t get into today so all
We have to say is ‘Bye!’”

As I tried to point out how
The situations echoed
This person seemed to think that they
Had something to them owed

Owed for doing nothing when
I came to them for aid?
Owed because they wouldn’t help me
Get through the blockade?

That was caused by someone who
Had made a big mistake?
Owed because when they could help
Instead they chose forsake?

I calmly said, “You know the rules
You’ve followed them so well”
And walked away, and that’s when they
Proceeded then to yell

“Are you fucking kidding me?!”
This classless person said
As they stood dumbfounded while
The irony did spread

Gape-jawed, stunned, oblivious
That what had just transpired
Was what I experienced
When others had conspired

“Sorry, can’t help, there must be
Reasons why,” I said
But since I had once walked that mile
More lightly did I tread

I didn’t mock or take pot shots
I didn’t smirk and chuckle
I didn’t take enjoyment in
Twisting in the knuckle

‘Cause I remembered how ugly
All those that took their joy
In mocking me were on that day
How much it did annoy

Be sure to leave revenge out of
The lessons that you teach
Enjoyment from one’s suffering
Will just negate your speech

But at the same time, don’t back down
Have courage to say “No”
Sometimes it’s unpopular
When you help others grow

I don’t know if it’s God at work
Or serendipity
But this experience has left me
Feeling somewhat free

Of the injustice that happened
And was never addressed
Where they all had shown their worst
I chose to show my best

Where they screamed and swore and stressed
I managed to keep cool
Where I waited patiently
They acted like a fool

Just remember, sometimes it’s
Uncomfortable to walk
In another’s shoes, so when
They do, try not to mock

                                 Miro