There are long shadows cast over us all

there are long shadows cast on them and tears that form rivers that come winding through the centuries to lay at our feet

from barbarians and armies who rode them into wars not of their creation to loggers who cleared their forests to amusement for crowds of parents and excited children to tourists who wanted to ride like kings of the jungle we have all been there

broken backs and spirits and crushed legs to blown away feet by land mines from our left over wars and the tears that fall hardly scratch our conscience they certainly don't wound us

red eyed by flash from happy snapper tourists until they see no more but who would know from a discarded photo or your Facebook page

gradually we put down the amusement admission tickets and turn away the rides trying to save something of our conscience by signing up to sanctuary parks pushing back hard on the long shadows and finally removing the hook

we create a clearing for the damaged and disabled replacing laughter and ego with compassion to see these great beings able to capture back some freedom even if its an  illusion...