Safety poem by Don Merrell

I COULD HAVE SAVED A LIFE THAT DAY
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 spoke up, he might get sore.
The chances didn’t seem that bad, 
I’d 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 the chance, I closed an eye, 
And with that act, I let him die. 
I could have saved a life that day, 
But I chose 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 share.
If you see a risk that others take, 
That puts their health or life at stake. 
The question asked, or 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.
© Don Merrell

-- There is always an opportunity to learn. . . .Steve Mcgrady. . Sydney, Australia.