Stripes

so many stripes, so many colors

each person’s thoughts wild and wonderful

exploring, learning, growing in mind

refining, defining, admiring all around

without exception life marches on

creating a story for all humankind

is there life under the sea? on other planets?

how do we react to them when we abhor those we see?

what value has our hate? is it population control?

if we must fight can it be against poverty?

how about hunger, homelessness, hatred itself?

can we learn to appreciate the differences

in size, shape, color, culture, beliefs?

how we need this, to give everyone a fair shot

to grow up healthy, no more disease for our children

grasp hands and hold fast, live and let live