They used to be
Able to take the
Family out for dinner
Once in a while
But that was before
The cost of
Everything went up
While their paychecks
Stayed the same and
Their benefits were reduced
And they were forced
To do more with less.
And just like that,
In the middle of lunch,
She realized that
Every time she felt
Like a loser it was
Because she had heard
That message over and over
And, not having the
Life experience to
Do anything else,
Had labeled herself
As deficient in some way
Because, after all,
They couldn’t be wrong.
Automatically given
All the advantages,
Without having done
Anything to earn them,
The comfort of oblivion,
Complacency of right,
It becomes natural to feel
A surge of disdain
Toward lessers who aren’t
Part of your tribe,
Who have the audacity
To want the same things
You’ve always had.
Even when she
Followed all the rules,
Jumped through all the hoops,
Adhered to all the social norms,
Reached the pinnacle
Of her profession,
Became an exemplary
Member of the community,
Did all the right things,
She was still judged
By the color of her skin.
Detached.
Abstract.
As if what he believes
Has no real consequences.
Ignore.
Avoid.
Ramifications
Out of mind.
Pretend.
Suppress.
It requires no
Wisdom, imagination,
Courage, to do
Something awful
To someone else.
It’s easy to exclude
Others from joining
One’s little game,
Keep their grubby,
Different hands off things.
It’s far more difficult
To let go of fear and
Reach out to people
In need, no matter
Who they are.
Though circumstances may seem
Unbearable,
Remember that
There is a multitude of us
Here for you.
There is so much
Good in the world
Sustained by countless people
Who believe in love
And hope.
We care for you and each other,
We breathe together,
You’re never alone.
It sounds like a
Wonderful dream,
A place devoid of compassion,
Where no one gets health care,
Persecution for not
Believing certain things
Is acceptable,
Violence rules,
Some people are
More equal than others,
A few own most everything,
Cruelty and callousness
Are celebrated.
It’s not that
They can’t help people,
It’s just that
They choose not to.
Inhumanity
Is simply the
Inability to
Move past fear.
We all do better
When we look out
For each other,
Courageously.
