It's Nothing to Do with Me

Skimming an “atmospheric” book
Leaves little more than a general impression.

Overall, I don’t enjoy Natalie Babbitt’s work,
Finding a core of meanness I dislike,

But in A Search for Delicious,
The kingdom approaches civil war,

Fighting about the definition of what is truly
Delicious. And the longer-lived—

The forest spirit and the underearth dwellers
And the mermaid—

Don’t care.
“It’s nothing to do with me.”

Our hero Gaylen, adopted and young, has to consider this position.
Is the foolishness of men worth risking his life?

Is his community, such as it is,
Anything to do with him?

How beautiful, that even as this temptation
Appears and reappears,

That he is happening upon the people and things he needs
To gain the help that will save all.

Twelve years down the road,
His life is satisfying and lovely.

If you are human, pursue the right.
It is everything to do with you.

The message comes through clearly:
You are your brother’s keeper.