KEEPER

Am I my brother’s keeper?
Yes, said God.

Thy black and yellow brothers, and the red.
I shaped ye forth from the same earthy clod,
And marked ye with my likeness,toe to head.

If he be faint from hunger, and
Do I lift him up and give him bread?
Indeed, said God,
Thou art thy brother’s keeper, see him fed.

If he walk barefoot on the street, must I then see him shod?
O, verily thou must,said God.
If he stands naked on the way,must I raiment provide?
Thou art conjoined to clothe thy brother,
And cleave him to thy side.

When I assuage his hunger, and see him clothed and shod,
Have I fulfilled my duty?

Duty? Said God.

Thou givest not from duty the things thy brother needs,
Nor lift him up to higher ground
From out the tares and weeds.
Had I perceived a duty, the clod remained a clod,
But thou art forth from selfless love,
Said God.

George W. Martin