[PsiMatt]

Here are two poems that express the consequences of doing nothing, of simply valuing ourselves above others...

First they came for the Jews.

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out -
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Apathy
So long ago the mists of time called out for one who cared,
who cared at all about eternity,
but in the silence there was none,
who would restore life's destiny.

And so the worlds of truth and light,
the Earth so full of youth,
succumbed to the ancient demon's might,
to vanish in time and truth.

Why would someone care, or even understand...
when plights not theirs do call out for a friend,
"It be not ours" they mock and say,
while praying for another day to come and pass eventlessly,
so that they may not troubled be.

But who would then saveth ye, when the keeper comes to toll for thee,
When death strikes at their heart of hearts,
with the poison'd tip of its thrice-feared dart.

And so no one ever tries...to save a life instead of cry,
and those who may have given thanks are turned into ancient tanks,
devoid of life yet full of pride,
empty of joy and rusting away...

Matthew David Lee