Every one of us has our prejudices,
whether we choose to admit it or not.
Many ingrained since childhood,
others acquired along the road.
Some are minor annoyances,
while others can have a major impact
on how we live our lives.
In a perfect world there would be no prejudice;
alas, we don’t live in a perfect world.
But we can choose to live in a better world.
We can choose how we deal with our bias.
We can think about the choices we make
and if we cannot fully let go our prejudices,
we can at least recognize them for what they are.
We can make a conscious choice not to act on them.
We don’t have to shoot into crowds,
or bomb innocent people just living their lives,
or run them down in the streets.
We can choose to be kind,
to reach down and help others up,
to put aside personal greed for the good of all.
We hold the world in our hands.
We can nurture the brotherhood of man
or smash it under booted heels.
What will you choose?
~Elise Skidmore ©2017
My high school physics teacher once said “in a perfect world there is no friction.” I know she was talking about physical science but I always found it to be a profound declaration. That’s what your poem made me think of.
I agree, it is a profound declaration.
Though on more thought, friction causes things to happen, so without some catalyst, life would be pretty dull without any friction at all. Like a novel without conflict would be boring–and most likely very short.
Hopefully we will always have the right to choose.
Where there’s life there’s hope–we just have to stay strong and persist.
Thought provoking poem, Elise. We, ourselves, can make a choise indeed. However I think it is a vicious circle as long those in power can not control their greed and power games.
Yes, Francina, I agree with what you’re saying, but as the poem was meant to be a “poem to the world” the rich and powerful are included those who need to think about their choices more carefully. Sadly, the old adage that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely seems to be too true these days.
Well said Elise. If only…
Thank you, Rosemary.
Good one, Elise, and good to ponder.
Thank you, Alan. If only more people would ponder it– or if the people who really should ponder it would.
That was the perfect message for today’s world – well said
Thank you, Regina.