Do Not Mistake My Compassion For Weakness Poem by Leandra Gebrakedan

Do not mistake my compassion for weakness
Don't be fooled, by my smiles and sweetness

For those of us, who work within the charity field
With rules and regulations, that constrains and will not yield

It will be easy to say hey, I'm trying, at least
In a world that is a contrast of famine and feast

I can hold my held up high
No I can't and here is why

While I have to turn away vulnerable people, genuinely in times of trouble
Send them away to struggle

As a system is in place, that can only help for a limited time
Turn them away, I must, the choice is not mine

Speak up for the voiceless, has always been my motto
We live in the real world, not Santa's grotto

I will steal a line from my favourite song
Is knowing your weakness, what made you strong

The day I stop thinking it's not fair
I will retire and sit in my warm comfy chair

Do not mistake my compassion for weakness
Wearing my heart on my sleeve, means I'm a dreamer, not dreamless

Leandra gebrakedan august 2014