Photography © Chad Parenteau

 

Witness

I thought that
by watching,
by listening,
by paying attention,
by sharing,
by tweeting,
by writing,
I could do the only thing
That was somewhat bearable.
I could be a witness
To the unspeakable horror that the world had become.

But as I watched and listened
and tweeted and wrote,
I also switched channels.
and nibbled on a bar of chocolate.
and texted friends.
and ordered in dinner.
and made plans for the weekend.
And I realized
that all I would ever be
is a spectator.

 

Tasneem Khan is a primary years teacher and lives in India.

Chad Parenteau is Associate Editor of Oddball Magazine.