by Albert N. Katz
a day off work
maybe some football on TV
large meals and simple statements of
being so blessed
(posted with pictures on Facebook)
and yes we are blessed,
in this self-satisfied Canada of mine
and I am thankful, truly,
that my children
have never known of war really
or gone hungry
are warm and safe and
educated, surrounded by love
and blessed with the opportunities to unfold
creatively, but
these blessings, I know
have been granted by accident of place and time
denied so many
randomly born in the wrong place
at the wrong time
so, yes, I am thankful, but
know that if I were to throw a dart
at a world map, even if it lands not far,
maybe even elsewhere in my country,
there I would find children the age of my own going to bed
hungry and cold and diseased
and orphaned
people digging frantically trying to find the living among the rubble/
seeking shelter in the overhang of empty stores as nights drop below zero/
huddling from the winds as the rain keeps falling, the water keeps rising/
the bombs keep falling
so yes, I give thanks but
guiltily
© 2024 Albert N. Katz All rights reserved.
Click or tap here to see Albert N. Katz’s profile.
Use the “Leave a Comment” form below to submit comments on this piece.