I am called  

you are called

we are called

to be  witness

for the people of Gaza and Ukraine

but how to find the words to write.?

Any words mouthed,  fumble, crack in air

like pottery cracks in the opened kiln

how sharp the splinters of gathered words

* * * *

when i  realised  I was in anguish 

I cried for me, I cried for all of us.

Now I cry for our inhumanity 

I jolt myself many times   . . .this is self pity  

You are not  hungry

You are not in pain

you have all the medications you need

you are not living in fear

You have not lost family

Your house is safe and warm

and watertight.

When the next generation asks what action did you take

to stop the atrocities to which you  daily bear witness 

I can only be silent

and humble with  the helplessness I feel

whispering  I was with them . They were not alone.

I wish they could know they are not alone and how much we care .  

Our pain is the powerlessness that we live

as if in our own cage of paralysis