Candle

Another life lost. One more candle lit.

Tragedy increases as another family is hit

with the burden of loss at another man’s hands.

United we fall… united we stand

heartbroken. Stunned. Shattered. Still.

Are these words optional: “Thou shall not kill” ?

Who determines the value of life?

A mother, a father, a husband, a wife?

A neighbor, a friend… an “idol”, a stranger?

Outings once peaceful may now lead to danger.

But are we not equal? Our bodies the same?

From dust we are made and as dust we’ll remain...

So how can we think ourselves better than others?

From 5,000 feet we look just like our brothers.

We long to have the elusive “world peace”

But with pride in the way, war will never cease.

Humility isn’t the mark of the weak;

There’s power in loving the poor and the meek.

Imagine a world with peace at the center

and respect and honor… there’d be no lamenter.

But one stitch of self will cause us to unravel

and have us consistently fighting this battle

until that sweet time when all suffering will end.

For now, attempt to treat all like a friend.

One more day goes by… one more candle is lit

for the hope that humanity’s better than this.