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.”