The Enemy.
Of a friend’s dire situation,
she listens hours
upon hours upon
wiping tears
and making her
comfort food.
Months later,
same good listener
is in a rare bind.
But same friend
too preoccupied to
give her the time of day;
not even a minute
nor a shred of empathy.
Man driving,
his two kids in the back.
A jam of traffic
dominates his route.
He slows and waves
in a car.
Car speeds in
without so much
as a thank you;
and the next car
peels out
quickly after,
and the next.
No waves,
no friendly gestures,
just a taking advantage of
one man’s good nature.
Very pregnant woman,
toddler in tow
and shopping bags full,
hurries to catch the guy
barely ahead
so she doesn’t have to
pull the heavy door
with her hands-
neither of which is free.
She makes it
a second behind.
But not caring
to notice her or child,
he goes through and
hastily lets go of the door.
Now she is forced to stop,
take a breath,
put the bags down,
tell her son to
stay right there,
and strenuously tug it open.
A young couple walking,
big city lights all around,
pass an aged homeless man,
his hat upside down
toward them,
toward anyone on the street.
She fumbles in her purse
for $10 as well as
loose change
and without hesitation,
gives it with a smile.
Evening late, same couple
is rewarded with
their home,
a hundred miles away,
being robbed.
Many precious keepsakes
taken, their personal
space violated.
A brisk September day,
a young girl on her way
to class at the college of
her dreams.
A boy, fellow student presumably,
appears lost
in his dark layered clothing.
She innocently approaches
and asks if he
needs help
finding his class
or certain person.
She seems to see
her blood gushing gut
before she hears
the shot;
then another…
Screams, terrified feet
scamper to
escape the rage
the gun inflicts
for him.
Excuses, reasons,
rationale for motives,
there are none.
No matter what is said
after the fact.
For money, for drugs,
for a skin’s color,
for a preference,
for getting ahead,
for things,
for lack of attention —
Don’t pretend
one of those
can justify.
They are not the enemy.
Human beings,
being inhumane,
do this to each other;
continuing down
a vicious path,
stretching inconsiderate
to the inconceivable.
Some human beings
are the enemy;
When if only
they looked around,
really opened
their eyes,
They could
instead
be a friend.
*****
Lauren Hurd is an adoring mother and wife living a simple, joyous life. There is nothing she holds more precious than family and uninhibited love. Each day she explores the divulging of the soul through writing. She also revels in dancing, dreaming, bursting creativity, home cooked food, the beach, and the beauty of butterflies.
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