Sleepless Caring Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Many are heard accusing others,
Of being thoughtless.
Selfish and uncaring.

Although this has been proven,
Not to be true.

So many will admit if asked,
Especially during the holidays.
What it is they care about most.

And...
Mentioned will be,
Treats to buy for Halloween.
To give to their family, friends.
And neighborhood children.

A meal to prepare and feast.
Expressing blessings and thankfulness.
On Thanksgiving Day.

To then spend a sleepless caring,
Thinking if gifts they wrapped to give...
Will be appreciated by the ones,
Receiving them.

Now...
If you are among the ones heard to accuse,
Others of being unconcerned.
Thoughtless, selfish and uncaring about you.
You may be right.
And keeping them up nights to toss and turn,
Over something that is of no concern of theirs...
Is a doing done...
You might do.
Yes.
YOU!

Hoping whatever attention you get...
Should be enough reason to believe,
An unknown to have it shown,
Becomes overnight a haunting memory.
With guilt and tears to leave,
On a soaking wet pillow.

These days...
More than a few,
Have death defying stories to tell.
About how they survived,
Going through their own personal hell.
And...
If you,
Believe them to be selfish.
Thoughtless and uncaring about you.
With time to give 'your' sorrows,
Prioritized consideration.
Perhaps it is you,
Needing less to think just about yourself.

And...
I have a suggestion.
Leave everything you possess.
Including that 'whine of yours obsessed.
Left behind.
With that to do to sacrifice,
Your time to give to someone else.