Why Me, Indeed?

“Why me and not him? Why did I survive?

How is it he’s gone, and I’m still alive?”

Perhaps the answer, unadorned, but true,

Rests in what we may inspire others to do.

We can’t see ourselves through other’s eyes

The value of our existence possibly lies

In our being in just the right place one day

To encourage another on his uncertain way

To climb to heights he wouldn't otherwise achieve -

To give another the strength to believe

In his own innate worth, to go on his way

To provide the answers for what we all pray.

The irony of it all is that we may never know

How, in just being, we've helped others to grow.

© 11/15/2004 Thurman P. Woodfork