Bystander

I saw a woman with three little kids,

she was across the store,

holding a cardboard poster.

She was hungry and needed help.

I saw a man, with only one leg.

He was a veteran who served in the war.

He was disabled and needed help.

I saw a woman who was crossing the street.

No car was stopping for her.

I saw a man who could not read.

He asked if anyone could help him

and everyone even me, said no.

I heard a shooting but it didn’t involve me,

so I said nothing and kept walking.

I saw a little girl crying and for her

I raised hell and more.

Because she was my sister,

it made no difference at all,

so I’m back to being a bystander

because that’s what they wished,

that I had kept quiet about all this kind of events,

just how they had thought me, but I refused

and now they blame me for talking.

-Maricela Rocha

 

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