My Heart is Broken (Photo and Reflection)

I've been working over this piece in my head for about 4-5 months now (this is the second attempt at the photo, my first attempt didn't convey what I was trying to convey), and the idea has intensified with the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic.  This is a lament piece primarily lamenting the current cultural and political climate in the United States.

Though the words of the reflection are all my own I need to give a nod to Evanescence's 2011 song 'My Heart is Broken' written after Amy Lee and her husband got involved in an organization that helps rescue victims of sex trafficking, which is where my titling of my piece came from. Video here.





My Heart Is Broken
By: Gregory A. Gilbert

My heart is broken
For lack of compassion when compassion is preached
For those teaching peace and practicing hate
For those who state life but only for few (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken

My heart is broken
For lack of trust in those most trustworthy
For those who hold onto misunderstanding over humility
For those who value tradition more than honest inquiry (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken

My heart is broken
For lack of mercy to those who are hurting
For those who mock sensitivity while being more sensitive than those they accuse
For those who shatter others who threaten their own fragilities (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken

My heart is broken
For lack of love to those who love most
For those who accuse of what they secretly practice themselves
For those who wash their hands in ignorance of all they have done (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken

My heart is broken
For lack of concern for truth
For those who respect views only matching their own
For those who speak the loudest which they least understand (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken

My heart is broken
For lack of love to those who are other
For those who condemn what they cannot experience
For those who are disgusted by their own misinterpretation (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken

My heart is broken
For lack of acceptance of responsibility
For those who present toxicities as the moral standard for life
For those who claim compassion while inflicting malice (which they fervently deny)
My heart is broken, my heart is broken, my heart is broken.