Saturday, March 22, 2025

For the persistence of words - March 22, 2025

For the persistence of words

I still hope for a world
Without injustice, 
With decency and fairness. 
What could be wrong 
If we still recognized 
The strength in our diversity, 
The need for equality?
Banning inclusion, 
Overlooking oppression 
Will not conceal 
Unavoidable truths past and present. 

Some words may be silenced.
Some work may be devalued. 
Some place before their eyes
A narrow, clouded lens 
through which to see
Identity and history. 
Praising exclusion,
Rejecting pluralism, 
Promoting salvation of only a chosen few
Will not engender respect
Or cause peace to descend upon us.  

There are perspectives 
That have risen to the surface,
Undermining understanding,
Diminishing decency, 
Reducing respect, 
that have undone 
Past achievements,  
Now-fleeting accomplishments. 

Nevertheless….
I won’t let go 
of love that I believe in. 
I won’t stop 
building the world 
I want to live in. 
I won’t lose hope 
to feel that I belong
And that unity remains
Within our reach.

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