Choices

Excited
voices
grow
louder
with each day
each hour
rooms
hold
words
that
diminish
and
destroy.

Fists raise
to salutes
of inhumanity
and hate
and fear.
Personal
responsibility
mired
in herd
mentality.

Those deemed
acceptable
levy
economic
power
against
long
ingrained
values,
history
that has
persevered
through wars
and
division before.

But civility
reigned then
compassion
and
purpose
marched
together,
honor
prevailed.
We stood.

Instant news
requires
instant answers
discernment
lost to cycles
that seemingly dictate
new behaviors.

Hate
no longer new
distrust
multiplies
and
untruths
become truths.
Fact check
replaces
integrity
and
character.

All allowed.

Blame falls
easily
pick your station
pick the person.
No personal
accountability
for new walls
and
bridges falling.

But wait…
we have choices.

News loses
when we withdraw
support
for rhetoric
that divides.

We have choices.

Hate can’t
thrive
without
affirmation.

We have choices.

Our
humanity
loses
only
by personal
intent
or acquiescence.

We have choices.

Fear
loses
with
inclusion
and
respect
honor
and
justice.

We have choices.

The
room
is empty
now.

Courage
sits
all
alone.

Waiting.

jackieshields
10.10.16