Dory Previn
The Altruist And The Needy Case
He has passion

For ecology

Compassion

For minorities

He carries printed placards

To put an end to war

He's a hero

He's a rebel

With a half a hundred causes

He peddles his petitions

Door to door

He's at home among the homeless

Singing set my people free

He will march

With total strangers

But he will not walk

With me

He writes letters

To his congressmen

On Indian indignities

Black men

Are his brothers

He bears collective guilt

He's a prophet

He's a pacifist

But tho' peace

Is his objective

He has no fear to see

His own blood spilt

His roots are with the rootless

That's where he needs to be

He will die

With total strangers

But he will not live

With me

He feeds and shelters animals

Unselfish are his deeds

He gives away his worldly goods

And has no notion of

My needs

Lover look away a moment

Tho' the ghetto cries

Long enough

To see the hunger in

One person's eyes

Passion

For ecology

Compassion

For minorities

He weeps to think that anyone

Could ever be

Alone

He's a seeker

He's a saviour

Who strives to

Save the children

But he's never had

A child of his own

He's united

With the universe

He's at one

With stars and sea

He can love

The whole damned human race

Oh

Then why is he

So afraid to be

In love

With me?