I am Lost

by Ralph I. Tilley 

I am lost—
   and you formed a committee
      to discuss my lostness. 

I am lost—
   and you wrote a manual
      about how to find me. 

I am lost—
   and you were content
      to only pray for me. 

I am lost—
   and you meet every week
      to study about my absence. 

I am lost—
   and you appointed only one person
      to search for me. 

I am lost—
   and you travel miles to listen to an expert
      talk about people like me. 

I am lost—
   and you say
      I could be lost forever. 

I am lost—
   and you built a special building
      for me to find. 

I am lost—
   and you sent thousands of dollars
      to someone else to find me. 

I am lost—
   in your neighborhood,
      in you office—
         when will you start looking for me?