Pretend to Understand

I Can't Pretend

I can't pretend to understand
What it must be like
To sell yourself to pay the rent

I can't pretend to understand
What it must be like
To live wondering if there is a meal

I can't pretend to understand
What it must be like
To not have shelter from day to day

I can't pretend to understand
What it must be like
To celebrate life even without

I will begin to understand
What it must be like
To have compassion beyond the credit card

I will begin to understand
What it must be like
To look into those eyes and see

I will begin to understand
What it must be like
To be a person of action and understanding

I will begin to understand
What it must be like
To live it, be it and keep all safe with forgiveness and grace


I am understanding more each day that we must/I must reach out beyond a credit card transaction and move it to acts of compassion. Nothing wrong with a donation but how much more powerful to be in a relationship. One of the most powerful lessons I've learned was talking to a counselor at a safezone for homeless youth where she talked about moving beyond judging a young woman who would turn to prostitution for her rent to starting a relationship that made sure she would be able to do it safely. She had to go there and establish a relationship before she could help the young lady move out of that cycle. A lesson for all of us I believe in grace, forgiveness and compassion.