Copilot
Who gave you permission to protest and scorn,
To ridicule those from the moment they’re born?
For I am a Jew, I am Black, I am Chinese, too,
I am Arab, Russian, Ukrainian, through and through.
I am Mexican, I am fat, I am old, I stand apart,
I am different from you, but I have the same heart.
Why do people hate us? What did we do?
We’re all trying to live in harmony, me and you.
Some thrive on hate, it’s true, they start a war,
Have you lost someone? It cuts to the core.
We all hurt, it’s a universal score,
It starts with a death, greed, or something more.
Someone’s different, believes not like you,
Crosses a line, and conflict ensues.
Rage replaces reason, maniacal views step in,
Seeking to punish, to hurt, to pin.
Get even, they say, hurt them, kill, exterminate,
But come on, we’re human, let’s not berate.
Why not try to understand, to communicate?
Why not solve our differences before it’s too late?
Let’s love each other, let’s give it a chance,
In the dance of life, let’s learn a new dance.
Where understanding blooms, and kindness can enhance,
A world where love and peace get more than a glance.
Thoughts Last
I think of all the places I’ve seen
The wonders and beauty, the chaos and peace
The mountains and oceans, the forests, and fields
The cities and villages, the cultures, and beliefs
I think of all the lessons I’ve learned
The wisdom and folly, the grace and sin
The courage and fear, the faith and doubt
The kindness and cruelty, the silence and sound
I think of all the moments I’ve shared
The happiness and sadness, the calmness and stress
The birth and death, the love and hate
The friendship and betrayal, the fate and choice
I think of all these things and more
And wonder if I’ve lived enough
If I’ve given enough, received enough
If I’ve fulfilled my purpose, my dreams
I think of all these things and sigh
And feel a tear roll down my eye
I wish I had more time to live
But I know this is the end of it
I close my eyes and say goodbye
To all the things that made me alive
I thank them for being part of me
And hope they’ll remember me fondly
I close my eyes and drift away
Into the darkness, into the light
I don’t know what awaits me there
But I hope it’s something beautiful.
