These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Broken World

What a world it is today
with souls so sad, and lost!
How do we help? What can we say?
Prevent a future tossed?

I want to rush right in to hug
or fix some wounded soul.
I want it changed, at least unplug,
at most I want them whole.

But sadly some things, that are past my reach,
do stop me in my tracks.
I silent watch with "what to teach?"
still weighing on my back.

Some bitterness receives no peace,
imprisons glibbered tongue.
Most thoughts are simply, "Make it cease!"
and let no joy be sung.

How can I hope to comfort speak
when I don't know their pain?
How can my help improve this bleak?
How can I stop the rain?

I hear the anger, feel the grief,
and wonder what to do.
The human heart seeks just relief
in the depths of me and you.

I stagger at the heart's black hole.
I hesitate to move.
Their betterment is aye my goal.
The gift I bear is love.

The ship is steadied at the brink
of event horizon's cusp.
Should I dare go where angels blink,
where good intentions rust?

How could I say, "I've answer aught"
when the heart can know no good?
How could I speak a word, but naught
until it's ready for food?

I weep and stand here in my place,
until I'm needed in some way.
I pray some day, not pain, but grace
transforms, that new, and warmer day.

by Jay O’Toole
on March 30th, 2022