Empathy Poems
Ubuntu: I Am because We Are
by Aloo Denish Obiero
"I am because we are," a truth profound,
In Ubuntu's philosophy, our humanity's found.
Our shared existence, interconnectedness so strong,
In unity we thrive, together we belong.
To be truly human, the first maxim shows,
Recognize others' worth, let empathy flow.
In others, our mirror, humanity reflected,
Respectful relations bloom, connections perfected.
......
Unforgotten
by Fiona Gillman
Blown about as leaves from some forgotten plant;
Lives lived between gusts.
Cast as seeds beneath shadows of finely-tended orchids
From whose chiffon petals dewdrops slip.
At times such seeds burst into stunning, sturdy green things;
Tendrils winding, tender offshoots issuing forth thorns of portent;
Where spires of amsonia, petunia, and strelitzia there burgeoned,
It yielded a final bouquet.
For Shylah G. Anderson and Fred Bax
......
Bus Station
by Ken Ripley
If she were white, she’d probably be
A fat, happy Irish with her shopping bag.
But it was four in the morning and I couldn’t quite see
Why she stood at that counter and eyed every tag.
Her hands were from dishes or making the bed.
She looked as if she’d been scrubbing the floor.
The showcase was full of those things my mother would wear
When she wanted to preen and show herself well,
Of earrings and bracelets, barrettes for her hair,
And a pin flush with diamonds, set in a shell.
......
Recognition
by Ken Ripley
I saw his skin
and loved him not.
“I see a colored man,” I cried,
and proudly went my way.
But when I prayed to God that night
He sadly turned aside.
I looked again
and saw a man.
“I see a Negro, Lord,” I cried,
......
Rictameter (Empathy)
by Poetry Forms
Feelings
in teenage girls
change like the weather in
Melbourne, one minute it's raining
then it's hailing, half an hour after that
it's warm and sunny, so intense.
I was a teenager once
and recall those
feelings.
Recognition
by Ken Ripley
I saw his skin
and loved him not.
“I see a colored man,” I cried,
and proudly went my way.
But when I prayed to God that night
He sadly turned aside.
I looked again
and saw a man.
“I see a Negro, Lord,” I cried,
......
Bus Station
by Ken Ripley
If she were white, she’d probably be
A fat, happy Irish with her shopping bag.
But it was four in the morning and I couldn’t quite see
Why she stood at that counter and eyed every tag.
Her hands were from dishes or making the bed.
She looked as if she’d been scrubbing the floor.
The showcase was full of those things my mother would wear
When she wanted to preen and show herself well,
Of earrings and bracelets, barrettes for her hair,
And a pin flush with diamonds, set in a shell.
......
Severed
by Lynda Grine
Severed
From gentleness
Torn apart
Into a million
Searing pieces
Whatever killed me
I killed the world in return
Our Two souls connected in that moment so brief
by erato mymuse
Despite your busyness my lovely muse
You found time to lift me out of my blues.
For my dear sweet and loving muse so fair
It is so good to know your tender care.
You were able to listen and relate
For you too had known a similar fate.
That pain and grief of many years ago
pieced my poor heart as only you could know.
......
My Muse was there for me
by erato mymuse
You were there and I gazed upon your face
wanting to feel the warmth of your embrace.
My heart had been broken by some sad news
and it felt good to share it with my Muse.
You stood at the door of the office there
and stayed to hear what I wanted to share.
Listening so attentively to me
showing understanding and empathy
......
