On being courageous

So, there is this poem that has been forming in me for the past couple of weeks.  Today, I put it on paper.  It is not like what I usually post on this blog.  And the big reason why not is that it is personal.  But if I've had enough courage to put this much of myself out there - I should be courageous enough to show you all of me.  So here it is.  I hope you like it.

There is a world inside of me

That I wish you all could see

I want to share it now with you

In hope that you can see it too

There is no hate, there is no war

Greed and power are no more

We treat each other with respect

And always offer up our best

It’s not that we all think the same

We disagree but don’t defame

And when bad feelings start to rise

We step away and compromise

The ones I love are always near

Close in my heart and I can hear

The song their heart sings out to mine

And my heart sings to them in kind

And all the pets I’ve ever loved

Are smiling on me from above

And those I love but gone from sight

Still reach me in my dreams at night

There is a world inside of me

Where I wish you all could be

A place where love guides all our acts

And dignity remains intact

Where being right so someone’s wrong

Is not the way we get along

And differences are celebrated

Never mocked or segregated

And when we have more than we need

We don’t hang on to it with greed

But instead we love to share

With those who think that no one cares

And prayers are offered through the day

All different gods, we never say

That one is right another wrong

All gods are good, they all belong

There is a world inside of me

That I wish instead could be

The world I live in every day

Instead of just a prayer I pray

A prayer for tolerance and love

For loving guidance from above

For grace and generosity

For gentleness and charity

For finding common ground to share

And finding ways to show we care

For all the people that we see

Not just the ones who look like me

A prayer for work that fills each soul

With gratitude for the small role

They play in making this new place

A world of beauty and of grace

A prayer for peace and harmony

So all might have a chance to see

Their children grow in size and health

To take their share of this world’s wealth

There is a world inside of me

That in fact may never be

The world I live in but I’ll try

With every day that passes by

To be the best me I can bring

To change just even one small thing

In this world filled with despair

If I can show someone I care

Perhaps their burden will be lighter

And then they too will be a fighter

For a kinder, gentler, loving life

Filled more with kindness than with strife

And one by one, we’ll start the change

So being nice won’t be so strange

And compromise won’t be called weak

And understanding we will seek

And everyone will get a chance

To celebrate the special dance

The special talent they possess

That brings them deep felt happiness

There is a world inside of me

That I hope I’ve helped you see

And I hope that you will join my quest

To make this world we have the best

With all the hurt and broken hearts

With all the things that pull apart

We each can bring our own small voice

Reminding all they have a choice

A choice to love, to give, to share

To show each other that we care

A choice to see another’s view

To embrace ideas of others, too

A choice to lift each other up

To share our overflowing cup

Of happiness and loving grace

Each of us can have a place

In helping those around us see

There is a gentler way to be

A world without a “them” to shun

A world where all of us are one

There is a world inside of me……………….