GENEROSITY

There's a kind of generosity I don't understand.
It's giving away more than you can afford.
The man is flat broke in Brazil.
Scrounging carfare and cigarette money.
As his few remaining dollars dwindle
with no reinforcements in sight,
the worst drought of the century
hits the north of his country.
Truck caravans are dispatched from the capital.
The citizenry is called upon to contribute.
The middle class sits by and bemoans it all on TV.
He goes to the neighborhood supermarket,
buys ten dollars worth of groceries,
and brings them to the local relief effort.
Help.


© Ellen Azorin