Being in the Maelstrom

In this maelstrom
Of movement
Colour and
Humanity
It is easy enough
To forget
These are beings
Each with a life
As full as my own
As troubled
And beautiful
Filled with family
And friends
Hardship and joy
Love and petty hatreds

It is easy enough
To forget
In the maelstrom
But a thousand times
I clicked a shutter
And a thousand times
Collected testament
Of the millions
Of beings
Each with a life
As rich with moments
And possibility
As my own

In the maelstrom
It is easy to believe
I am small
Insignificant
That being itself
Is small
Insignificant

But with every photograph
I am reminded
How grand life is
How significant
Every being is
And I feel immense
In this immensity
Of the maelstrom