“‘Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.” ~William Shakespeare
Darren
The other day while I was on
My way to work from lunch
I heard a rattle, bump, and thump
A kick, a knock and crunch
I saw a man stuck in the street
He sat in a wheelchair
On one foot, a cast and soon
I was also aware
That only one of his arms worked
The other sat in lap
With only one foot and one arm
He struggled in his trap
My mind said “time to go to work
Your break is almost done”
It would have been quite easy to
Ignore this man and shun
But something else in my body
Said, “Make the time to aid”
My throbbing shoulder, neck and knees
Caused my path to be swayed
I walked over to this man and
I pushed his chair up past
The curb on which he was stuck and
He replied very fast
“Oh thanks so much, you don’t have to
I don’t mean to annoy”
“Not at all,” I replied back
“To serve brings me great joy”
He thanked me once again and then
With one foot and one hand
Tried to wobble down sidewalk
And move across the land
My mind said “Now get back to work
Your time is almost through”
I started walking back towards
The building where I do
The things that help me pay my bills
My rent, my water, food
I glanced back at the wheelchair man
And suddenly felt rude
I walked back up to him and asked
“Where are you going, friend?
You look like you could use a hand
And I’ve got two to lend”
“Oh, thank you,” he said with smile
“But you need not do that
You’ve helped enough, I can get by”
And warmly tipped his hat
I looked around at other folks
Who passed by on the street
Rushing to get out of rain
Into some place with heat
“No I haven’t,” I replied
And took hold of his chair
“I don’t believe we do enough
To show that we do care”
“Aw, thanks so much,” he warmly said
“But I’m going three blocks”
“Not a problem,” I replied
“I like going for walks”
As I pushed this man along
We chatted of his pains
He said he’d had a stroke and now
One arm and leg remains
He said when it had happened, some
Had walked by and ignored
He said he saw some curtains close
‘Cause some could not afford
The time to aid, or discomfort
To help bear his ordeal
Luckily for him, three young
Warriors did reveal
They called an ambulance and stayed
Beside him ‘till it came
I’m sure their selflessness only
Served to bring others shame
As I pushed this man along
I was struck by his peace
His situation had not made
His attitude decrease
The ugliness and selfishness
That he had just endured
Had not awakened same in him
His own had not been stirred
“People just don’t have the time
And that’s okay with me”
He said, but I smiled and replied
“I’ll have to disagree”
“We have the time but think we don’t
We can do so much more
The trouble is most people don’t
Request it or implore
And very few of us do have
The voice inside our heart
That says ‘Try harder,’ ‘Go the extra
Mile,’ ‘Stand apart’
And so we must sometimes ask them
To do what they know’s right
So as to remind them of
Their selflessness and might”
We reached the store and he got up
And hobbled on one foot
I asked him if he needed help
Or if I should stay put
He said, “Oh, thanks but I’m okay
I can manage from here
Thanks so much for all your help
It is to me quite dear”
“Not all all,” I said to him
“It’s my duty to serve
Never be afraid to ask
For help that you deserve”
As I walked back to my job
I saw somebody who
Saw me pushing Darren and
He frowned because he knew
That he could have helped Darren too
But business had stopped him
Or maybe it was ‘cause Darren’s
Current health was quite grim
And he did not want to be near
Someone who suffered so
Ironic that instead of dread
Darren emitted glow
The strength and courage and the grace
Of a true Warrior
A man who wouldn’t let a stroke
Discourage or deter
As this stranger rushed off with
His shame, I slowed my walk
I cleared my mind and ignored the
Warnings of ticking clock
Eventually I got back to
My office and resumed
The time I took help Darren
Had not made my job doomed
Because when you do maintain right
When you do what you should
When you stop thinking of yourself
And for others do good
There is no clock or deadline that
Can threaten peace of mind
To serve others less fortunate
Is for what we’re designed
The Warrior’s most fortunate
For they have conquered fear
And so it’s up to them to serve
When hardships do appear
~Miro
Tags: aid, air, ask, break, busy, comfort, discomfort, favor, help, inspiration, lunch, miro, motivation, no time, paralyzed, poem, poet, poetry, service, strangers, stroke, uncomfortable, victim, warrior, wheelchair, wisdom, work
