I Try to Remember

The humanity

In each of us

The cries of an infant

Silenced

By the knowledge

That crying does nothing

But tire oneself

A tiny heart broken

Before it has beaten

That beautiful song

Of love

Even once

Becoming a child

Who doesn't think

Or act

Like others

Their chest cavity

Devoid

Of humanity's

Tender touch

I try to remember

Hurt people

Hurt people

And what grows

In the absence of love

Is what I allow

By not

Loving enough

By not

Sharing enough

Of my blessings

By not

Looking into the eyes

Of the haunted

And seeing

My reflection

Looking away

Keeping silent

Closing my hand

Walling up my heart

That's how I allow

Hatred

To exist in the world

So I try to remember

The humanity

In each of us

I look

Even when it hurts

I listen

Even when the tears come

I reach out

Even when I want to run

Because I

Could have so easily

Been them.