I chose to Look the Other way,
By Don Merrill
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
Nice topic for safety committee meetings or Tool BoxTalk.