The man I spoke to

could not speak English very well

plus I had trouble hearing him

his words were almost whispers

it was like he was scared of the phone

or maybe scared of me

yet here I was

asking him for help

there was no other place to go

yet he picked up my call

and came to my assistance

we do not like it but

that is how the world works now

we call for help

and find it in foreign lands

we must help each other

as best we can

by chance and circumstance

we are in the hands of

strangers.