Poetry flows with feelings and descriptions. This poem that I discovered describes our community in great detail, I believe. We have a diverse population residing here, so I live by the old First Nations proverb: “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins.”

Please Take the Time
So many times we see someone in need
Most walk by while they piteously plead
Plead for help that may not come
Plead for love because they have none
So many people just don’t take the time
To support their fellow man
Like it’s too much to be kind
Too much to give a helping hand
To someone who needs it, please take a stand
Stand up for the ones who cannot speak for themselves
Stand up for those who live their lives in hell
They need your help, you may be the one
That saves their life, think of your son
If he were in need and you not around
Would you want others to laugh at his frowns
To see him in need and lift not a hand
To help him up out of no man’s land
You’d want strangers to aid him, I know that’s true
But don’t forget help can also come from you
We are all in the position to assist
I know you know that, but here’s the twist
In helping others we also help ourselves
And that is a great reason in and of itself
It feels wonderful to help those in need
To sleep soundly knowing you did a good deed
So please when you see someone who has not a thing
Take time to help, it will make your heart sing

_ – April Gabriella_
(reprinted with permission)