There are still some strange people in this world
who demonstrate compassion for others,
based not on a need for recognition
or because some reward has been promised;
An act of compassion is not a task
completed to meet some kindness quota,
it is understanding another’s pain
and lessening it some by sharing it.
How can a selfless act, worth more than coin
be encouraged by an act of Congress
or a pay scale for rewarding good deeds?
A faith-based program must be its own end:
belief that doing the right thing is right;
else it is not faith-based, it is a job.
29 JAN 2003
