On empathy

Watching through the snow 

As the deer graze on our lawn, 

I shiver a bit in sympathy for them, 

Standing in the cold. 

I don’t, however, believe 

 That that’s my mirror neurons firing; 

It’s just simple projection; 

Imagination at work. 

True empathy goes deeper, 

Resonating in the heart, 

 And somehow working to erase 

The barriers between us; overriding separation,

 Awakening awareness of our shared unity

And leading us to ache for their predicament 

As fully as we rejoice in their joy.