I was minding my own business.
Yet all was not peaceful, although
I did not bother anyone,
And no one bothered me.

Next to me was a boy.
He was calling a girl names.
She told him to stop,
But he didn’t.

I did not bother anyone,
And no one bothered me.
I did not know the boy,
And I did not know the girl.

Again the girl told the boy to stop,
And again he did not listen.
He began to make physical contact.
The girl’s requests became more urgent.

I did not know the boy,
And I did not know the girl.
Nobody else bothered about them,
So I didn’t either.

The boy was laughing,
And having a good time.
The girl was beginning to call for help,
And struggled to stop the boy.

Nobody else bothered about them,
So I didn’t either.
I stood there and watched.
I couldn’t say why.

What I saw that day was really sad:
A boy picking on a girl,
For no reason at all,
Other than his own pleasure.

No one gave a thought to them.
They were concerned only with themselves,
Too busy to help someone in need.
Not one of them spared a moment.

I was minding my own business.
Yet all was not peaceful, although
I did not bother anyone,
And no one bothered me.
I did not know the boy,
And I did not know the girl.
Nobody else bothered about them,
So I didn’t either.
I stood there and watched.
I couldn’t say why.

Someone was in need of help,
And I was not in a hurry.
Yet I stood idly by.
Why?
 

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