The Outsider

So easy to criticize

Indigent lives

Diametrically disparate,

Different from mine

But I try to remind myself

Daily to exercise

Patience

And probity

Judging too soon

And assuming

Can only mean

Preemptively,

Peremptorily

Deeming

Parochial view

Of the picture I’m seeing

Facile denial

To look a bit deeper

Into

What I still misconstrue

As this bleaker

Grim,

Dimly lit

Pit

Spitting image of meager

Believers deceived

By their god

The All-Reaper

Is creeping about

The bedraggled,

Beleaguered,

Bemired poor creature

Awaiting its fate

As it stares at a speaker

Non-native,

Unaided

Invasive speech teacher

Just trying to reach them

As equals

Of self

Even though he is privileged

With wealthier health