I haven’t figured out yet
why hatred exists,
but it swirls around me;
why must it persist?

It saddens my heart,
this destruction of men,
and I wonder how it started,
or has it always been?

The meanness of this world
lingers all around;
I try to tip-toe right by it
but still, I am found.

A jab in the stomach,
a slap to the face,
always forced to feel
like such a disgrace.

Sadly, this evil lurks
behind every innocent-looking door;
it robs us of our freedoms,
and we’re shunned forevermore.

But a few sympathetic hugs
or some kindhearted smiles
can cause a trail of love
to spread on for miles.

So even when we’re bullied,
we’ve got to fight from within;
instead of spreading more hatred,
there is a better way to win.

Open up your heart
and kiss away despair;
all you have to do
is show how much you care.

The world may drown in hatred,
but you can still survive;
by being humble and gentle,
your spirit will continue to thrive.

Don’t listen to the haters;
you know what you carry inside.
And no matter what happens,
never forget how hard you tried.

© 2022 Michelle Cook

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Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-clouds-fields-grass-832079/