Sometimes we hear the
scream beneath silence
behind a curtain of rain
hear the dog whistle blow
for God, for help, for a friend  

Each of us, really, in our way,
in the pop of the champagne cork
or the key turning in the ignition
express a kind of giving
that cloaks a subtext of begging  

But only so much dare we
ask in lipless whispers
because common decency
commands we bear
despair with dignity  

So when you hear them
let your heart be moved
by common decency –
give them your love
so affordable, so priceless