
1000 Voices Speak For Compassion
Yvonne Spencer mentioned this idea to me in a tweet this week. This is the question she posed after ruminating on some of the troubles blighting the world today.
How cool would it be if we could get 1000 bloggers on the same day to write posts about compassion, kindness, support, caring for others, non-judgement etc.? (Date to be decided.[it’s suggested 20th February 2015])
We could call it 1000 Voices For Compassion.
Who’s in?
Well I am. Here’s a a link to Yvonne’s Blog and post here
What is compassion?
It is the capacity to want to help others, to feel for others. It is in short what should separate us from the animals. Sadly compassion seems to be spread very thin these days. Thousands starving and dying of thirst, disease and war. What are we doing, we turn down our TVs and look away. They even have a name for this, Charity Fatigue.
Comfort me in my hour of need
Open your eyes and ears to me take heed
Mindfulness is needed here in the world
Pain and grief are like weapons hurled.
All the woes of this vale of tears
Scream loudly in our ears
Sacred heart give us hope
In you we trust , help us cope.
OH! help us to help each other
Now in our hour of need to love our sister and brother.
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I do not know who this man is but I have used his face more than once when writing about compassion. There is something in his eyes that reach out telling his story pain, grief rejection it is all there!
I used his face last at Christmas while I was talking about Crisis at Christmas . Crisis is the National Charity for single hopeless people. They are dedicated to helping people and giving them a chane to change their life’s for the better, to give them hope.
The Charity works all year round of course but they also do Crisis at Christmas. Volenteers spend a fortnight cooking for , providing a warm place to stay for those lost and lonely people. They give them new clothes , a hair cut if they want and also help them to change their lives if they want to. They help with finding somewhere to live or a job interview .
They show real compassion they help and they are unpaid and they really make a difference.
Jen, she was cheeky girl always having fun
Staying out late and playing up in the end it got too much for her mum!
After a big row one night in the summer she asked Jen to go,
So she is struggling along out here now,
When you are homeless it is amazing how fast your friends all go.
Rob, well his story is very sad,
It all started with his drinking then he discovered drugs
He became violent and everything turned bad.
He fell out with his mother’s boyfriend who told him he had to go
And then threw him out into the January snow.
The reasons are legion you can take your pick,
People who loose their jobs because they became sick
From parents who can’t cope
To addictions that make you loose all hope,
Parents or family who beat you, family who will not stop at a touch
They want, you to give them, it all gets way too much.
______________________________________
Mess in the alley
It’s finally stopped raining but your jeans are soaking wet
and if it were not for the tricks men make you turn you’d be worried about the cold that you could get.
The day is nearly over descending in to grey
you’re better off staying here now you are already wet and they need not see for what they pay.
You are feeling very twitchy it is hours since your last fix
your stomach is turning somersaults and your mood is between and betwixt.
You watch people passing the end of your little patch
some with shopping some with children all with lives you’d love to snatch.
School children walking home ipods in their ears
you pick up their discarded cigarettes and wistfully long for their, undone homework fears.
Life is so simple for them and some are older than you.
They would spill their guts and run a mile had they had to do some of the things you do.
If you did not feel so dizzy you really would stand up you need to tart your face up and put on a smile
the punters will be out soon soyou need to be ready in a while.
You hope and pray that you can score tonight the cramps are getting worse
and your legs are not up to running so there is no point in pinching some old dears purse.
You marvel at the fact that these men will still use you,
you look a mess and smell even worse but still you thank God that they do.
Why is your head thumping, you’ve not felt that way before
have you got enough cash for a sandwich you’ve some money in your back pocket of that you’re pretty sure.
Why can’t you stand up you push your hand down on the floor.
God what is this, is it blood it is, it is all over your hands and more.
Your legs have turn to jelly and you have never felt so cold
your chest feels tight and your guts hurt you so, you need to move you feel a hundred years old.
There is someone coming , you reach out for help,
they see the blood, they are so shocked they let out a yelp.
They haven’t stopped they have left you here what are you to do
Your life’s blood is leaving you fast and as you shed a tear
it all begins to go black suddenly, yet you feel no fear.
“Some one call an ambulance, but I think it is too late .
How could she just be left here and in such a state.”
________________________________________________________
Surely we can feel compassion for the awful things we see in this world. Not only the young and old people we see destitute on our streets. There are people all over the world suffering , women, men children in wars, ebola struck areas, prisoners of depotic people all over the world.
What can we do, buy someone homeless a sandwich, coffee, help people . Be empathic , love care learn true compassion.
Tiny little fingers in the dust,
Huge eyes so sad begging for your crust.
You are so hungry you need it for you
But this is your child, who you can’t deny, true?
Hunger gnawing at your bones like cancer spreading fast.
You worry if you’ll be strong enough to find water, as what you have just will not last.
No one is going to help you, your sons and daughters gone for soldiers.
These two left will escape that fate as they will not grow much older.
Your milk dried up, your belly empty.
It hurts so much to walk but walk you must, you can’t stop.
The baby at your breast has long since ceased crying.
This sweet young child clinging to your skirt is dying.
Where is the help that was promised where is the aid that you need.
You have walked days now with no hope of helping your children not even to feed.
The baby needs medicine the western doctors dispense
You have to flee from your home just were is the sense.
War at your left side famine at your righ,
Politicians and corrupt leaders uncaring of your plight.
Had you stayed they would of killed you or worse …
OH! my poor children your birth is your curse.
Standing at the top of the hill
You can see a straggling encampment a red cross flag flying still.
You put down the baby his soul already flown
To your husbands arms now, at least not alone.
You need to rest but your aim is in reach .
You lay in the dust next to your babes, close your eyes just ignore the flies.
Tiny little fingers in the dust , huge eyes so sad finally closed.
Where is the help that was promised where is the aid.
War on your left side famine at your right
They no longer threaten you Death has arrive to erase your plight.

1000 Voices Speak For Compassion
Feb 20, 2015 @ 09:19:27
There is so much we can do and should do… even if it’s one thing…your post made me think… My take away from this is to be more observant
Random Thoughts Naba..Why No One Talks About Compassion Anymore?….
Feb 20, 2015 @ 10:57:37
I am so pleased that my words and pictures have touched you that is what this event is all about spreading awareness. Thank you for reading. xxxx
Feb 20, 2015 @ 10:28:25
This is a powerful post, and as a fellow fan of Ralph McTell, what an amazing video. The eyes of the man in the face are indeed haunting. I am reminded of the many homeless men I passed on my way to work in NYC, I always said good morning- never forgetting they were people too. Thank you for this.
Feb 20, 2015 @ 10:55:38
Yes sadly the first things the homeless lose are,friends,self respect and they become invisible and fall deeper and deeper into despair.
Feb 20, 2015 @ 10:35:08
“When you are homeless it is amazing how fast your friends all go.”
True…
Thank you for sharing…
Feb 20, 2015 @ 10:52:52
we do need more compassion. Thank you for reading.xxx xxx
Feb 20, 2015 @ 11:01:46
My pleasure! 🙂
Feb 20, 2015 @ 11:31:05
🙂
Feb 20, 2015 @ 11:13:29
Thank you for such a moving piece. There are so many people who fall through the cracks. I wish it wasn’t true that friends are the first thing to go when people become homeless. If friends stuck by each other then maybe their situation wouldn’t be quite so bad.
Feb 20, 2015 @ 11:30:29
Yes that is a true,many sleep on friends sofas or floors but eventually patience and compassion wears thin and the long sad decline begins. Thank you for reading. xx
Feb 20, 2015 @ 12:15:32
When tough times come calling friends and sometimes family are the first ones to leave you. And this is more devastating than the actual problem. And during such times if a stranger shares a smile or an understanding glance, it makes such a big difference in that person’s life!
Feb 20, 2015 @ 12:34:01
Yes a word,a smile a touch van show great compassion. 🙂
Feb 20, 2015 @ 21:30:18
I thought you’d come up with something telling Willow; the long form poem, the desperation of the girl is truly powerful. And those eyes; there is something there that has to speak to anyone looking at it and wondering ‘What good did I do today?’
Feb 20, 2015 @ 21:38:56
What have we done, we have written we have tried.
Feb 20, 2015 @ 22:19:12
These most certainly stir my heart, Willow. You’d have to be unconscious not to be.
❤ ❤ ❤
Feb 20, 2015 @ 22:34:54
Thank you Tess. xxx
Feb 21, 2015 @ 12:03:55
You are welcome.
Feb 21, 2015 @ 13:03:14
❤
Feb 20, 2015 @ 22:51:15
your words pull at one’s thoughts, making the heart skip a beat at the sadness…
I have been on the other side of those photos…. showing someone respect no matter what condition their life is in is one of the kindest gestures you can do..a simple smile with a hello attach makes a big difference in energy….
once again you show the beauty you have from down deep within your soul Willow…You are the essence of compassion
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
Feb 21, 2015 @ 07:02:35
Dear Maryrose you are so right respect is so important, a smile a touch or just a word can mean so much. Thank you for your words I truly value them. xxxx
Apr 24, 2019 @ 02:05:35
thank you so much for bringing attention to this issue wonderful work that is greatly appreciated ❤
Apr 24, 2019 @ 04:05:19
It’s a sad and harsh world and we all need reminding. Thank you for reading 💜