Lucita

Lucita clearly wasn't a beauty.

Her grade school features were unrefined,

Awkward, plain, unattractive….

(I'm trying not to be unkind.)

 

Her classmates loved--as many kids do--

To find people's faults and then make fun of them.

Lucita's classmates tormented her;

I know because I was one of them.

 

I didn't say mean things about her,

Tease her or call her a horrible name.

My silence, however, made me complicit;

Because of my silence, I shared their shame.

 

How often are we silent when

We see injustice right before us?

Do we fear becoming involved

Or hope that the "evil" will ignore us?

 

History shows what happens to people

When others stay silent and don't speak out.

Only by standing up to injustice

Can real change come about.

 

Lucita didn't stay long at the school.

I think her family moved away.

I'm sure the kids found someone else

To taunt, belittle, pester, and flay.

 

I hope that for Lucita a happy,

Fulfilling life has been her reward;

I hope the once gawky duckling

Opened her beautiful wings and soared.

 

(5-26-16)