Off Course

Weren't we put here

On Earth

To do as much good

As possible?

To ease the suffering

Of those we meet?

To plant a tree

We'd never sit beneath?

I want to laugh again

Not at someone

But with delight.

I want to feel safe again

No matter the color

Of my hair, skin, or eyes.

I want to make eye contact

With strangers

And smile again.

But I look through

My brown eyes

And see

We are off course.

So I look away.

Not safe

In a world that chooses hatred

And greed

And murder.

Too tired to hope

As my heart feels

All the pain

And my mind can't rest.

How can we sleep

When the world is on fire?