We miss them when bliss seems too elusive, 
When ailments of a foot, or of an eye
Clamor and demand your attention exclusive.
What did you overlook? 

One foot aching means the other foot, 
And the rest of the body are well. 
Isn't pain a signal that something is afoot
Only in part of the whole?

So as the lion gores the deer, and the snake
Cracks the bones of that tender cub, 
Or you notice the quivers and deadly shake
As the earth opens to engulf,

What are you likely to overlook? 
Oxygen flowing, the sun shining, humans surviving 
Horrible catastrophe? 
The rescue crew, first responders, lion cubs tenderly
Fed by their loving mother, 
A snake living another day, 
Dead matter feeding the humble beetle? 

For no evil can exist without prior good. 
As there's no darkness without prior light
There's no pain without prior serenity
There's no war without prior peace
There's no hate without prior love
There's no death without prior life
There's no end without a prior start. 
What did you overlook 
As you inertly focus on the call to take action,
While cursing the rest of you still active? 

(c) nyonglema