I saw a man

Lying in a pool of blood

His scalp flapped in the wind

His brains were blown out.

I saw a child

Frightened by an angry mob.

Tears flowed as she cried

From her one eye

She had lost the other

I saw a woman

Screaming for her baby;

Who in his sweet innocence

Did not know what a mine was.

Giggling with delight

He reached down to touch it…

Leave them alone.

Please, don’t hurt them.

For they are my family.

They are my brothers.

The cry for peace calls to be heard

Yet let it not be achieved through war

If there is a need for justice

Let it not be paid with blood

If there is a need for power

Let power be the voice of the people

Let power be truth spoken in love

Let peace be love spoken in truth

See through the hatred

Look past the blame

Gaze into their eyes

Understand their pain

And feel it for yourself.

These people

They are my mothers,

My fathers,

My sisters

They are my brothers

As they are yours.