No Good Deed

As the old saying goes, it never goes unpunished;
and this seems so unfair yet it appears to be the rule.
Provide a helping hand or do someone a favor;
but then it never fails--its return bites you in the ass.
Maybe in this regard the cosmos is inverted;
the ways of punishment abide forever in the stars.

The deed that’s good is basically human;
it is a warmth that’s part of the heart.
It resides as give just wanting escape;
it’s humble without need of any payback.
When it acts the only goal is a kindness;
there is no thought of what it can gain.
But when punishment for deed is received
it’s like the heart stands in the open air,
and coldness is difficult to believe.
O good deed, (punishment),
life’s penalty.

Yet we continue on for good deeds are inherent;
good deeds are civilized--it’s far beyond barbaric past.
The Good Samaritan abides within our psyche,
(although there are those to whom good seems alien.)
Step out onto the stage of life’s kind interaction;
good deeds scintillate--illumination from within.

The human good, indeed, is intrinsic;
the heart imparts good deeds with true warmth.
It is us evolved to lend helping hands;
(ignoring need does not seem part of the plan.)
Yet hold fast as all the stars remain shining;
this is a law as basic as weight.
Castigation comes as answer to deed
and when it does we often stand nonplussed,
and feel our kindness recede.
No good deed (punishment),
life’s penalty.

34 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
July 12, 2014