We Shall Love

Hate.

Singular and pointed,

Scattered and reactive,

Made manifest by a million practiced acts.

Care,

Now whimpering and frigid,

Browbeaten into silence,

Isolated by the fear of speaking out.

Now the unity

That built great civilizations

Waits impotent and shackled,

Warming arms bound by ivies sown from greed.

Why did we come here?

When was pity seen as weakness?

Why “Me First” hailed as progress?

All cowards raised on pedestals in the skies.

No heeded warnings,

Or too distracted to take notice,

Gorged on endorphins and ad breaks,

Smoldering ashes spreading fires throughout the world.

Now is there hope?

Can this be but temporary sorrow?

Will we love in the face of venom?

Can we bury all the nature of ourselves?

But here and now,

We still push the boulder onwards,

We share loads and loaves and laughters.

We’ll fight the cold and huddle against the rain.

We shall love.