52 Weeks of Art - Week 15 - "Crowd"

Inspired, sadly, by the steady drumbeat of negative news stories, I focused this week's writing challenge on the divide that continues to separate so many of us from our neighbors, friends, and families.


The Crowd

There is a crowd surrounding me

A group of folks that seem to be

Similar from what I see

But something isn’t right

Surrounded, I am standing here

Thinking of what we could share

But each moment makes it clear

These people live with fright

Surely they are flesh and bone

With the same limbs, features, and tone

But a closer look has shown

They’ve lost the gift of sight

I don’t mean they cannot see

I mean they see things fearfully

They act as if they all believe

Our purpose is to fight

First they choose to separate

Then lash out at those they hate

As if such things will make them great

And somehow give them might

And just like that, it’s all quite clear

They’ve given in to senseless fear

The darkness has descended here

And they’ve all lost their light

To save myself, I take my leave,

Their death of souls something I grieve

But in my heart I do believe

That love will still shine bright

For kindness is the better way

And love will surely save the day

And it’s this mantra that I pray

“Faith, carry me alight.”