Must It Be So Difficult?

Ari was not different to me.

Kids said, "He is Jewish." So?

I thought to myself. What does that mean?

That was long, long ago.

 

To me he was a classmate, a kid,

A friend, a neighbor, someone who

Played just like the other kids.

What did it matter if he was a Jew?

 

That was back when people had "cooties."

Do people have cooties anymore?

If people want to dislike others,

They'll come up with reasons galore:

 

Different religion, different race,

Sexual orientation, gender,

The way we talk, or whether we

Are overweight or overly slender.

 

People will find someone to fear,

Someone to shun, someone to tease,

Someone to scorn, someone to laugh at

And made to feel ill at ease.

 

We humans! What a bunch

Of silly, crazy, mixed-up fools--

Intolerant, insecure,

Defensive, uptight, as stubborn as mules!

 

From generation to generation

The cycle continues as parents tell

Their kids whom to hate and like.

Ah, yes, they teach their children well.

 

Praise to the parents with open minds

Who teach their kids to love, not hate.

That is the key to break the cycle

Of hatred that we perpetuate.

 

Loving parents guide their children

In loving ways. These parents show them

The key to understanding others:

To open up and get to know them.

 

(12-18-16)