What Right Have I?


Do I over-step my bounds and say
What an amazing person you are,
And that no one should treat you this way?

With a friend’s eyes I see in you,
A mix of sadness and loneliness.
Will this lead to a toxic brew?

You entered this world with love and innocence.
Now these are under attack.
If I don’t speak out what will be the consequence?

As your ally what right have I?
And yet is it not my duty to protect?
Or do I step back and not even try?

If one stays silent to keep the peace.
The question must be asked
Will this abuse ever cease?

My brother, I want to step in and rescue you.
But for now I hold myself still,
For is this something a friend should do?

What right have I?

Nice poem, I like poems that deal with questions.

is this a question like the golden rule?
how does it go?
do not unto others what they would not have you do unto them.
or is it
do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
or is it
do not do unto others what you would not want done to you.

but the message is plain, if you see something wrong speak out.
but the poet remains in doubt.

perhaps the poet is not sure. To ask what right, of course you have the right, but there is a shared guilt here too.
the poet feels guilty and sees the same trouble in another, and that shared guilt is stifling the resolution.

and there is knowledge too, that to say something may not help. perhaps the 'brother' needs to find the answers himself. knowledge is not always enough, there must be discovery, and a coming to the truth through ones own pathways.

as if the brain must unravel the tangled mess one synapse at a time and we can only watch and be aware, and wait, but also be there when we are eventually needed.
- Walt

Thank-you Walt.

And yes the poet is unsure and secretly and in silence, cries