In the Shelter of Each Other #2138

In the Shelter of Each Other We are living less than ten minutes away, From those who seek shelter, with nowhere to stay. In the shadow of wealth, in the heart of the city, Lies the truth of our distance, devoid of pity. It's in the shelter of each other that people live, Yet, we abandon the fallen, with no love to give. Proof of their guilt, we label their plight, Turning away from the darkness of night. “Practice and observe,” the wise Teacher said, “But do not emulate the lives they’ve led. For they preach from the heights, where they cannot see, The struggles and sorrows of those in misery. Their words are a beacon, but actions betray, A lack of compassion in how they convey. For they preach, but do not practice,” He warned us clear, To love one another, to hold each one dear. In the silence of hearts, where judgments are made, Remember the shelter we all seek in shade. For it’s less than ten minutes, the distance so small, Between love unconditional and a world where we fall. In the shelter of each other, let us now stand, Extending our hearts, extending our hand. To practice the truth, to live what we preach, For in every soul, there's a lesson to teach. -Steven G. Lee (July 3, 2024)