One aspect of most (perhaps all?) creatures, is that a common threat will tend to bring them together. We are no different in that we too have a tendency to unite against a common enemy however, despite the seriousness of COVID-19, there is still antagonism, discrimination and just plain aggression, both within and across numerous borders, towards people who are perceived as “different”. Politicians who sow the seeds of dissention with divisive politics, must take some of the responsibility but, ultimately, each of us is responsible for our own actions.

I am sure that we are all hoping for the control of COVID-19 and its variants during 2021. Most of us are probably hoping for the vaccine as early as possible. There seems little doubt that it will soon join the many other life threatening conditions that are now under control but then …  we are left with the ever present antagonism and discrimination.

Below is “My Dream”, which is a poem taken from my book “Just Thinking” (click book cover over to right – may have to scroll – for more information. The link below goes to my  reading of it (audio only).

“My Dream”

I dream of a day

When we’ll all be friends

I dream, as I look at the stars

That the world will see

That being valued and free

Is better than destruction and war

***

I dream of a day

When my friends are yours

Although from quite different lands

That you understand

All colours and beliefs

Can live in peace. Can hold hands

***

I dream of a day

Hopefully not far away

When compassion wins in the end

We’re all human after all

We all stumble and fall

Let’s help each other up and be friends

***

I dream of a day

When the killing has stopped

And peace prevails at last

Borders are open

Old vendettas forgotten

Past beliefs… will stay in the past

***

I dream of a day…

But it is only a dream

So many people will say

Perhaps I am delusional

Perhaps just a dreamer

But to survive, we must find a way

***

To break down barriers

To live together in peace

That will be a challenge for some

But why must we label

Our different neighbours?

Why can’t we become as one?

***

We all want respect

We all want freedom

Let’s open our eyes and see

That we all want the same

It’s really not complicated

It’s peace, for you and for me

***

I dream of a day

When world peace is achieved

When the pen is the only weapon

There will be universal love

And to the power above I’ll say

“Thank you. Our Earth has become Heaven.”