In the depths of despair
Many voices cried:
Why are we here?

The answer was plain
as they strained to know:
Your Deeds, he told them.

The frantic question
was asked by all of them:
What wrongs have we done?

Silence engulfed them
as their pasts were revealed:
I will show you now, he said.

Needy ones asked you,
as you quickly walked by:
'Please help me', and you didn't.

Cries from a child's pain
came from next door.
Fear kept you silent.

A friend needed to talk.
They died all alone.
You didn't have time.

You had what it took,
money, means, and time.
Blindness was chosen by all.

Tumultuous voices
could be heard crying:
How were we to know?

A final answer was given:
You knew what was right
But chose to ignore!

The Clamoring ceased,
their voices fading,
as they were swept
deeper,

                                                                        deeper

                                                                                   deeper

                                                                                               away.

Linda Cervantes Rose
Copyright 1998