I Chose to Look the Other Way

I could have saved a life that day,

But I chose to look the other way.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care,

I had the time, and I was there.

But I didn’t want to seem a fool,

Or argue over a safety rule.

I knew he’d done the job before,

If I called it wrong, he might get sore.

The chances didn’t seem that bad,

I’ve done the same, he knew I had.

So I shook my head and walked on by,

He knew the risks as well as I.

He took a chance, I closed an eye,

And with that act I let him die.

I could have saved a life that day,

But I choose to look the other way.

Now every time I see his wife,

I’ll know I should have saved his life.

That guilt is something I must bear,

But it isn’t something you need to share.

If you see a risk that others take,

That puts their health or life at stake,

The question asked, or the thing you say,

Could help them live another day.

If you see a risk and walk away

Then hope you never have to say,

I could have saved a life that day,

But I chose to look the other way.

Anon (Author Unknown)