Compassion

What is it... what is Compassion?
What is sorrow? What is it, that wells up in your soul?
And spills over into your heart, and mind...

When you see...
Someone trying in vain.
Someone desperately trying.
Trying to make a living,
trying to find just a drop, of the water that keeps the economy in bloom...

Trying in vain,
nonetheless, giving it their all...

And the appreciation on their face,
when you, who have so little, give them just a bit of what little you have.

Is it just that they remind you of yourself?
Is it your anger and frustration at the world?
The fact that they are just a part of you,
 as you are a part of every vile act
 committed by every other person,

And even your best effort or intent,
 you can hardly make a dent...

Until something greater touches you...

And as it washes over you
 it becomes clear as day
 that what you do is done to you