His walk a mad angel's gait.
Insolent steps of one thrown from heaven
To toil in red dust,
As if he had not had enough
In a thousand previous lifetimes.
Where is his heart? Where is his soul?
To call this heaven's will
Is a cheap answer.
There was once a god who committed a crime. His punishment was to be thrown back to earth to suffer the misfortunes of being human.When you see those less fortunate than yourself, whether they are the homeless on the streets or simply the ugly and unpopular, can you be sure that they are not like that god flung back to this mad planet?
Is their misfortune their own fault? Or do you explain with references to morality, destiny, reincarnation, and cosmic justice? Even the words of saints offer no relief for their suffering, so it hardly seems fair to blame them.
Let us not hold ourselves above our fellow human beings, no matter how great the disparity. To withhold your scorn is already beautiful. To see how we are all of one family is compassion.
Personal Interpretation
We can never know the exact causes of the misfortune our brethren endure. But does that mean that they are any less deserving of our compassion? It shouldn't. Taoism is concerned less with the question "Why?", for inherent in this little word is consideration of forces that often cannot be known. Taoists should concern themselves more with what is, should act in accordance with the present situation. Withholding disapproval is lovely. To understand that we are part of the same fabric as those who suffer, and to respond with kindness, is an unparalleled kind of comprehension and wisdom.
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