Us

I wrote this a couple years ago in response to the tragedy of division we suffer as a nation. Sadly, it is just as true today as it was back then. 

Knowledge is power,Whether true or false.

But our “outrage” and “inrage” create borders and walls. 

What we know and what we show to prove us right,

Have most to do with our side of the fight.

But if kindness and love would lead the way,

If we really would listen to what “others” say,

We might start to see less them versus us,

Less suspicion and conspiracy, more unity and trust. 

Not man versus women, not old versus young;

Not black versus white, not most versus some.
We need less “versus” and more “verses”,
More love and less hate;

We need to create doors,

not barricades and gates. 

When community and unity trump distrust and accusation,

When we finally come together and stand as one nation,

We’ll see the difference between a protest and a riot,

We’ll learn to speak our mind we won’t need to be quiet,

But the fury won’t burn our homes and our towns.

Our anger won’t hurt whoever’s around. 

But our pain WILL be seen, heard and known.

We’ll no longer live the lie that we’re in this alone. 

We’ll stand with each other shoulder to shoulder,

And leave something better as we grow older;

For our children and their’s to have and enjoy

For all of their years whether girl or boy,

Whether black or white, whether rich or poor

Whether blue or white collar, whether less or more.

We’ll all share this world and its epic story

We’ll know “our” role, but delight in God’s glory

We’ll care for each other with compassion and love,

See the needs of another and put them “above”

So this world needs less knowing,

More listening, less showing.

We need more community, more unity in life;

less difference and anger,

Less suspicion and strife.

This society this nation,

This world this creation,

Is not about difference, despite all the fuss.

It’s not about division, it’s about His image in “us”.