Another Civil Ritual

From house to neighbourly
house on this street with
canvass kit in hand, from one
or another charitable, research,
health-established group,
to persuade a few dollars for
the greater good of the
society we inhabit...

To wheedle away visceral
inhibitions against sparing a
dollar here and there. Long
familiarity; a greeting and a
smile, a sharing of local news
and private triumphs; extraction
enabled - amplified by
public awareness...

Of dread disease; cancers,
diabetes, heart and stroke attacks,
crippling arthritis, MS and a
wide range of afflictions
tormenting humankind. It is
when kindness of human
reaction to share the burden
illustrates our innate humanity.