If They Never Knew

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If They Never Knew

We touch so many lives
 During a lifetime
 How can we not help
 But fracture a few?

 We try to mend
 Before our end
 Yet we wonder…

 If they never knew
 What we knew
 How much stronger 
 Would they be?

 Yet we touch them 
 Nonetheless
 And it’s an unkind 
 Selfishness
 A way to give meaning
 To the meaningless

 We make amends
 Toward our own ends
 A soundless thunder…

 And if they never knew
 What we knew
 How much stronger
 Would they be?

                                                           --William Martin