You’d think giving is enriching and nourishing for the soul
Not for heroic self-gain, but just for helping others out in the world
To give some tiny drops of kindness
In an often chilling world of emotional blindness
But a warm, giving heart is exposed like a child
Who steps onto a busy road, with cars screaming by wild
Mown down by takers, snatching from the hand with zero thought
Their shocking complacency about time, effort and anything bought
And slowly grows the feeling of being taken for granted
Seeds of injustice shooting, not long having been planted
You tell the judge you don’t want glory, but do want respect
For you gave everything kindly, optionally, with their needs so squarely met
But a hammer blow doesn’t rid the world of this weed
That’s knarly and quick spreading, fed by twisted motivation and greed
The road to epiphany can be a sad, torrid journey to make
So I tell you - seriously think twice before entering give and take