Is it possible to be compassionate?

When the clouds burst open

And the tears of heavens escape

Is it exhilaration, or worse fear

That make the moisture dissipate and disappear 

com·pas·sion

   [kuhm-pash-uhn]  Show IPA

–noun

1.

a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire toalleviate the suffering.

Is it possible for me to be compassionate--to know when a fellow being suffers and needs to see a sign of hope. I don't know. I don't even remember when I last felt a quiver of emotion because someone else was sad or plain unlucky.

I always thought that I can be any thing but compassionate, love is a far cry. Of course, I do put on an ambivalent look on face, from time to time. But, folks do see through me. The snicker is hard to hide. I always knew that compassion is some thing that other people needed. I stopped seeking the dregs when I grew up.

Now, when I reflect on all things myself, I do need to find an answer--why do we need not be compassionate and why I am loathe even to pretend that I may  empathise or show remorse when others feel sad.