From my book In a World of Tears and Sorrow, a prayer that, recognising how often we talk of love and friendship, asks whether we genuinely show it.
We talk of love and friendship
We talk of love and friendship,
how genuinely we care;
we boast about our closeness –
a special bond we share.
But is there any substance
behind the oaths we make?
Or are they glibly spoken
and easier to break?
We claim to live for others,
to care about the poor;
to gladly give a little
that others may have more.
But is there real intention
behind the words we speak?
Or is our caring hollow
and our commitment weak?
We claim to live for others,
to put the stranger first,
to see the best in people
where others see the worst.
Yet are we any different
in what we do and say?
Does anything about us
speak of a different way?
No one will pay attention
to anything we teach
unless we are consistent
and practise what we preach.
Fine words come all too cheaply,
yet are just so much air,
unless we show in action
how much we really care.