We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!


"The hands that help are better by far than lips that pray." - Robert G Ingersoll (Declaration of the Free, 1889)


This post is dedicated as a contribution to Twestival India 2011 and is being submitted to seek aid for the Equal Community Foundation. To spread the word and participate, please visit the Give India page.

With so much suffering so close to home...

Heavenward should our piteous gaze stray?

Work beckons beyond the idol or dome... 

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

If both hands are joined in supplication...

The role of helping hands how can they play?

Not relying on divine intervention,

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

Right here and now our help is sought;

One human to another, all the way!

Wholly human, a miracle it's not!

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

To lend a hand or not, is in our hands!

What joy will a with-held penny pay?

It earns more if in the poor box it lands!

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

A penny that saves is a penny saved...

From expense, which from our welfare can stray!

Giving's a joy greater than thrills we craved,

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

Outside shrines too, you can find a poor box;

Charity is not fully under faith's sway!

On the doors of each heart, empathy knocks!

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray! 

To do our bit in helping those in need...

Into living hells we need not foray!

A mouse-click can be a life-saving deed...

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

When we can give in comfort, from our seats...

Is there an excuse for any delay?

Our own people's cry our help now entreats,

We need hands that give, more than lips that pray!

-Arvind Iyer (March 22, 2011)