I fear staring into the abyss

dark oblivion being the mark of my life

I feel my potential is too great

and the world so driven by strife

I dream of Kenya

of the ends of the earth

Where nothing is certain and everything of worth

comes from helping hands and compassionate hearts

Oh how I yearn to be a part

of those that teach in foreign lands

to children living amongst trash and sand

Seeing precious faces that have known more hurt

in five years than I have in twenty

will surely open my eyes

to the lies of this first world

To share knowledge with those with one last chance

to teach to those in foreign lands

the children living in trash and sand

I want to see the world and experience

different cultures, different differences

I'm enamored by the helpless, afflicted by the hurt

impressed by the perseverance that I see

disgusted by the idols I see in me

Can I give up my soft hands

to teach to those in foreign lands

I read blogs of those that travel and help

they are impacting the world for good

Bringing knowledge and understanding and refuge to those

who have nothing

no poems or prose

I want to give the gift of a helping hand

to children living amongst trash and sand

If the powerful play goes on my verse shall be

that I danced wildly, ran all free

stopped and noticed, with nothing beneath me

threw a rock to find the bottom of the abyss

jumped in despite the fear of what I would miss,

That I did all that I could to lend a hand

while teaching to those in foreign lands

A job that will change my life

is a job that takes me out of my comfort zone

that forces me to learn and grow

that encourages me, for all I know

my words, my actions, my sideways glance

may change the world, if given a chance

I will teach to those in foreign lands,

to children living amongst trash and sand