Never Turn Away

They say meditate
Breathe deeply
Listen intently

I listen
As my thoughts dance
From fire to flood

Asking me to ignore, the now
To be somehow
Ignorant

Of the world’s pain
Seems insane
For I am no hermit

I am no Thoreau
Living in the woods
I am living here and now

In the world
Knowing, I alone can’t change it
Hoping, it will not change me

Never ignore
Never too tired
Never turn away