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

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