Compassion

Compassion 

is more than

shallow phrases,

tee-shirt slogans,

car stickers

and pretty pictures,

a clever comment

in a religious font.

Compassion,

is getting your hands dirty,

carrying another's pain,

shame,

regret

and abandonment.

Compassion,

is reaching out,

embracing,

holding, healing

and the commitment

to "being there",

even when turned away.

Compassion is a choice

not a response.

Compassion

is prayer in action,

fuelled by love

and the realisation

that the ointment we receive

is to be passed on.