On Equality

Image from jon-atkinson.com

[posted for Think Tank Thursday at Poets United]

I fully and
completely
know
in my
soul of souls
and in my
heart of hearts,
that one human being
is of equal worth
to every other.
That one baby born
is a miracle,
is a matter for
rejoicing
to every mother,
as is every
single
brand new
shiny
other.

When I meet you,
I will
look into your eyes,
will smile,
will see you as
a fellow
human being.
I will look into
your heart,
see your goodness
shining there.
I will not see
any "differences"
of skin,
for I know
we are
all kin.

I will be
compassionate,
not scornful
of your poverty,
or your addiction,
or your brokenness.
I will rejoice in
your striving,
your courage,
your smile,
your talent
for
surviving.

But am I "there"
enough
to forgive
the redneck
and the racist
for their 
limitations
in the way
they talk?
Not yet.
I fear
there is
much more
of the roadway
I still have to walk.

I can indict
the world :
until this
little child
has food
in his stomach,
and  can
go to school,
and have a life,
equality
is simply
a lofty concept
unrelated to
his strife.

But what am I
doing about it?
I contribute
scant dollars,
but could do
so much
more:
too broke,
too busy,
"tomorrow".
I care,
I grow outraged,
but the passion
does not
make up for
the world's
apparent
indifference to
his sorrow.

The little fellow
is still
waiting for
some food
to fill
his cup.
He's getting
tired,
he's starting
to
give up.

The problem is
too big;
it is
too simple.
Too many people
do not have
enough,
and there is
huge
inequality
'tween lives of ease
and lives so tough.

But equality
of worth?
Oh yes,
at each
new birth.