Most Ofthem Do Not Sing Along Poem by Shalom Freedman

There are many of them
Most of them do not sing along
Many do not know where they are
Many stare into space and see nothing there
One cries to me and I speak to her and try to soothe her
She wants her supper not a concert
She cries and the nurses signal to leave her alone
The show goes in
There are a few who sing along
Who know the words
Who know where they are
The manager is a cheerleader and claps along
The young family plays the Chanukah songs
There is music in the room
And with it a little chocolate bar for everyone
I look around in fear
Each of these people was someone once
And now so many breathe and are not here
Will I become one of them?
I sing along louder
I want them all to enjoy and be inspired
But only a few really listen and understand
The music is for them
And perhaps that is enough