Is It Enough?

Sometimes I wonder

If I’ll ever be able

To do for myself.

“Sure, I can help you.”

I’ll continually say

Knowing that I can’t.

Not that I can’t help,

For truthfully I can’t bear

To see others pained.

There’s something inside

That connects your pain to mine;

It drains me to feel.

I’ve tried to change that,

But it’s what makes me listen,

It’s what let’s me heal.

For I know the words,

I know the ways you can change

To feel happiness.

But, that’s not enough.

No, you’ll know I feel it too,

Just as you feel it.

So know this right now,

I can’t do a single thing

Without this thought.

I can’t breathe, even,

Knowing you’re feeling something,

Because I feel it.

You know the feeling,

When the emotions inside

Are just not your own.

It’s enough to care,

But must we know them that well,

Must we cry their tears?

Do we need to try,

To stop them from feeling it,

Because we can’t bear.

Isn’t it enough to love.

Apparently, no.