Empathy
A poem inspired by Anna Rozwadowska, by life, by me
We are always on empty, Massaging
spirits and feet, rushing to aid
Who comforts the empathetic ones after our hearts bleed out
We bring tea, We bring a listening ear,
We are hurt by the news We are hurt by the hurt
Empathy is vital, empathy is work
It brings connection, it brings pain
Janus Faced — there’s two, they’re sharp but necessary
For human survival at this time Now, right now
If we don’t care about something, if we don’t care about each other
It’s done, it’s gone, it’s over We are melting already
We are over extended Our energies and our stay
Drained and weak The faces of the selfish
the faces of the careless the faces of the greedy ones
Run this And we run around
Tending to the wounded Trying to get through to the ones that wound
With hugs, with tea, with coffee and cakes in our hands,
flowers, trying to pick up the pieces Some fill themselves with it
It is their badge it is a t-shirt Kindness is a brand, caring is a trademark
But others, but me, I know it is not on the market Empathy is effort towards selflessness in understanding
It is warmth that can almost burn you alive
It is a migraine after a day of nurturing and attention to the details of others
It is easy, it is easy, I promise, don’t listen to me,
We need you to have it, we need everyone to have it
Then maybe, just maybe, it would be easier for us all
Jenny Justice is a mom, Sociology instructor, and writer. You can follow her on Medium and at Jenny Justice, Writer. She has been recognized as a Top Writer on Medium in Poetry, Parenting, Reading, Education, Books, Racism, Feminism and Climate Change, so far.
