Empathy

I know what the poor man regrets

His buried secrets and hidden lies

Helplessly feeling his fate is set

Buried alive in unrepayable debt

Gnawing and rotting his hollow insides

Ceaselessly looking for ways to heal

I know what the poor man feels

I know why the poor man breaks his back

Earning sparsely a coin for the mouths he feeds

Gritting through pain that turns white to black

Owning just enough to know what he lacks

Feeling just enough to recognize need

Though day after day his body will fail

I know why the poor man’s spirit prevails

I know why he falls to his knees

Wearing them out on unyielding ground

Face towards Heaven he mouths his pleas

Hearing them answered, awash with peace

I too have sung that joyful sound

When saved from worry, trouble, and sin

I know why the poor man is forgiven again