Before I acquire things for myself, let me be mindful of those who have none
Before I satisfy my needs, let me be mindful of the needy
Before I try on a new shirt, let me be mindful of the naked
Before I wear a new shoe, let me be mindful of those whose feet are scarred
Before I adorn my body, let me be mindful of those whose bodies are violated
Before I munch on a new cookie, let me be mindful of the hungry
Before I try a new drink, let me be mindful of those deprived of clean drinking water
Before I buy new decors for my home, let me be mindful of the homeless
Before I set up a tree at home, let me be mindful of the trees that are willfully slaughtered
Before I burst some crackers, let me be mindful of the little hands that have been abused in its making
Before I sing a new carol, let me be mindful of those whose voices are stifled
Before I want to meet new people, let me be mindful of those who are barricaded by walls
Before I celebrate the season with my dear ones, let me be mindful of the lonely and the orphaned
Before I buy gifts for my children, let me be mindful of the ones separated from their parents
Before I relish my freedom, let me be mindful of those who are yearning for liberation
Before I rest with a sense of peace and satisfaction, let me be mindful of those whose lives are stricken by war and violence
At the end of it all, if I am mindful of all these things, if I am mindful of all these people, Christmas would be different. I would be different.
[Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay]
Reblogged this on Poetry Curator and commented:
Very powerful poem!
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Thank you.
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very nice one Arvind
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Thank you.
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Theodore… Rasa… Its subtle yet loaded… Time for some hardcore polity infliction I the very idea of chritmas…
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Thank you, Immanuel.
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Nice
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Thank you, Lingson
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Nice Arvind…
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Thank you.
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makes me to think twice or thrice before I enjoy God’s blessings, also reminds me of the least and the oppressed who has to know God favor. Hats off to you Aravind!
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Thank you, Samuel.
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Nice Arvind… Instigating and Intimidating words…
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Thank you.
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