nothing in return

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

                             Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Who do I see each day

I look at many people

But who do I see?

It seems so simple really

to really notice another

after all

they are right there in front of me

but do I see the fear

the hurt

the pain

do I understand the questions

the doubt?

and how do I respond

not toward those who approval I want, or need

not toward those who are affluent or powerful

but to that person who is just there

just there

being who they are

being tired and depleted?

Do I stop

focus

listen

to I act in a caring way?

do they feel as if I care?

I wonder

I truly

wonder