i wonder if I can
hear cries for help?

children are drowning
and I can’t swim
aged widows are starving
and i can barely feed myself
orphans are naked
and my own threads are bare

can I hear cries for help?
if I hear, can I do anything to assist?
what must i do to add a little relief?
to provide blankets for shivering
encouragement for weary
morsels for mouths
nourishment for souls

if i became strong
i wonder if i could
hear cries for help?

if i became strong
will glint of ice
freeze my ears
my heart chained
by clinks of gold