Just Because: 'Think of Others'

Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008) is a Palestinian poet whose life mirrored that of his people and that of so many, many victims of war and all that is basest in the human character. With thanks to my son, who turned me on to the man.

As you prepare your breakfast, think of others.
Don't forget to feed the pigeons.
As you conduct your wars, think of others.
Don't forget those who want peace.
As you pay your water bill, think of others.
Think of those who have only clouds to drink from.
As you go home, your own home, think of others.
There are people who have no place to sleep.
As you liberate yourself with metaphors, think of others,
Those who have lost their right to speak.
And as you think of distant others,
think of yourself and say,
"I wish I were a candle in the darkness."

   For more about Darwish and his life, go to http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/mahmoud-darwish, and to hear Darwish reciting this poem in its original Arabic, go to (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8nTU1HPAIc#t=63