The walk from Ground Zero is so short to Staten’s terminal,
A visitor first sees the spot where terror struck,
Then takes a ferry to the Staten’s oceanfront,
To see the waste in Sandy’s wake – a dire sight.

So sad to say, but this is what the tourists have done,
Go there to gawk instead of lending hand to traumatized,
Go back to lunch and then go out to have good time,
This is what happens through the loss of human touch.

Such thing as charity no longer seems a sane or urgent task,
Neglect feels justified - just look away and pass,
A link that once connected us with needy ones is cut,
In storms of life we ‘makers’ are dismissing ‘takers’ thus.

While stricken areas are without power, water, gas
The luxury goods merchants boost their profits high
By pushing buyers as if Far Rockaways were that far,
So very distant as if occupyng planet Mars.

Some general’s affair – it reveals a world to us,
High-ranking military sending soldiers off to fight
Live large & party hearty with contractors, socialites.
A “social compact” of democracy rewritten is by money many times.

Instead of us forgoing some of our freedoms, rights
For benefits of living in the world of high morals,
The reach buy back their liberty to do what right they find
With no regard for anyone, with no respect for us.

Thus burdens to sustain the life, society to last
Are left to those who lack in wealth, to people just like us.
This, as it seems, is failure in Christian faith of ours,
Of self-absorption in the face of shredded social compact.

Our failure in catering to rich and affluent ones,
In never teaching them humility & grace in life.
Our failure in the provision comfort, cozy place
For comfortable ones who do not care a damn.

Now on discovery of money’s loyalty to its own selfish self,
Of progress solely in the sympathy with the have-nots, not wealth,
This could be close to next awakening of ours - not less,
Speak truth to power, do not stand in line for crumbs from table.