justice limps along the back alleyways
where our fears banished her long ago.
compassion has retreated to the shadows
singing sad lovesongs that no longer moves our hearts.
where once was the cry of mercy
there is now a dull echo as we retreat
from caring,
avoiding each others eyes.
There was a time when
we embraced the lost and hurting,
the poor and marginalised,
now we empower others
to quietly dispose of our
shared responsibility.
We live our lives
turning the other way,
deaf and desensitised.

Oh God,
your face is reflected in the eyes
of the lost,
Lord have mercy on this
merciless culture.
May we again discover
the equality of your love
that is so vividly seen
in young, innocent faces.
Let us wake from our slumbers
and reach out before our heart's fail
and our songs become
loveless laments.