We are not wise, we humankind,
who live a little time and die.
What can we do against the night
but weep, and rage, and question why?
For what are we but bone and blood,
and speaking voice and loving heart?
We share what help and hope we may
Together now, before we part.
But if we do not speak, or love,
or offer blood, or bone, to save
another breathing human life
who’ll live to love because we gave…
what are we then but cold, alone,
the chilling blood, the empty bone?
February 2009, Montreal. I wrote this for the Heal Emru campaign which encourages people to register to donate bone marrow. It doesn’t hurt.
