Old Tommy

I saw the best of humanity on the day
That the small, blue car shoved old Tommy away
And he slowly collapsed to the tarmac

I saw the best of humanity that day
When the man in the van leapt out and ran to help
To lift him from the ground

And I dashed in with my phone
Ready to call the ambulance
Old Tommy insisted he didn’t need

I saw the best of humanity that day
When the small, blue car’s driver offered me her details
When the queue behind were patience itself, once they knew

And when the man put old Tommy in his van
To take him home, to watch him for shock
To be late for his own appointment

I saw the best of humanity that day
In the tired, pale eyes of the young neighbour
Fighting for breath under the weight of her children

Who told me how stubborn old Tommy was
How he’d lost his wife six months before
How she kept his daughter’s phone number, just in case

I see the worst of humanity every day
In the great and famous who punish the poor for the crime of poverty
Who make billions selling weapons to child killers
Who use their fame as a banner for hatred and spite

But I saw the best in humanity that day
When the small, blue car shoved old Tommy away.

 

June 2025

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