Run toward the explosion

“…run toward the explosion.”  

 -- Suketu Mehta, “What They Hate About Mumbai”, NY Times op-ed, November 29, 2008

Make sure you’re human

Check that you still have hands

And breath

And memory

That you have children

Or a brother

Make sure you were born once

Then run toward the explosion

Verify in the terrified crowd your name

Your name wearing a thousand faces

Shouting a thousand languages

Look at your reflection

In the pools of blood

Run toward the explosion

Empty your pockets

Go to what you’re afraid of

With only the gold nugget of your little dignity

Put your arms around a burning hotel

Run toward the explosion

Save one

Save half of one

Save everyone

                                   -- New York, November 29, 2008