What My Teachers Might Say

I heard a sad story
on the radio today.

An elderly couple
was held on a cruise ship
for three days,
then kept in quarantine
for fourteen days.

It was a time of suffering,
full of stress and fear.

As I listened,
I felt anger welling up,
until I stopped to think,
“What would my spiritual teachers
have to say about this?”

Perhaps they would say:
“Look beneath your anger,
and most likely,
you will find sadness,
or helplessness,
or hopelessness.

Then, you may look under that,
and you may find compassion,
enough for yourself,
and for everyone”.