Selfishness

Am I, really.

I could be.

But I like to think not.

Yet my time is valuable,

sometimes;

even more than people.

Phrases and words like priorities,

take care of yourself first,

comes to mind.

But so too, does empathy,

respect, friendship,

and love of fellow humans.

Where does one draw the line?

Do we all in the end,

take human nature for granted?

How far would we go,

to help another,

when it means you can no longer help yourself?

In war, lives are sacrificed.

In birth, a mother gives of her pain.

In life we strive for betterment.

In family we want to succeed.

In death we want to be remembered.

Everything else; what is left to care about?

I think it cannot be that hard,

to attempt to do the do,

to give even a moment's second,

a rasping breath,

to care for another human being;

without being given accolades.

Am I selfish?

Am I that shallow?

I think not,

but I also cannot save the world,

or the people in it.

One voice that cries out, sometimes,

... cries alone.