Lines Between Us

Are we so different? separated and disconnected Could it not happen to me? conveniently vaccinated against suffering

Is the line between us so bold and impermeable? oceans meeting, never mixing Are our situations so different? oil and water stirred together– never combined

Is my passport so thick and protective? a bullet proof vest in a dangerous world Is it the color of my skin that makes me invincible? a force shield dazzling white surrounding me from the evil lurking

Are the cries of their children different from the cries of my own? Do the tears of their children fall more slowly? in the night, do their shrieks sound less shrill waking up from another nightmare?

And what about the nightmares of the parents who, though awake, rise up every morning to relive their worst fears again?

Do the mothers’ hearts not beat faster as their sons are beaten for their peaceful protests and their daughters are raped Do the fathers’ heads not hang low in shame when their children cry again for food and they have no money or job to provide

Or

Are we the same? fragile and tossed in a chaotic world with sin crouching at our door

What if? the nightmare could be ours and not be over when we opened our eyes from our stupor-filled arrogance

What if? the lines between us did not exist

would we then turn and have compassion? would we then turn and pray for mercy?

Mercy, O Mercy! not only for them but for us

delivered from evil all the lines between us erased forever.