I am forwarding a poem that greeted me this morning, at 5AM in the form of an 8 foot tall poster in the lobby of my office. Many of you may have seen it, particularly if you work in a plant. I had not. Today is one of those days when it might well be taken to heart and put to good use. Our children will be costumed and wearing masks this evening, and maybe just a bit caught up in the moment to notice some of the small details, like the flames on the jack-o-lanterns or the car driving with it's lights off. What say we all put in just a little extra effort tonight to see that they all have fun and come home safely, with a bigger but likely exhausted, smile on their faces than when the evening started.
Happy halloween!

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 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

J.R. Simplot Company