One Common Language

How long can Mankind's world perform Without a common language norm? This world that many tongues divide To satisfy some primal pride But cannot, in a global sense, Dispel mistrust and ignorance. While every tongue should be revered For its own worth - its place endeared Within its context each embraced, Its local, native, customs traced - We still need one tongue which should be Developed interactively. But now the many languages Our history encourages Reflect the man-made boundaries Of geographic destinies With self-protecting vanities: Racial, ethnic conformities. A spoken, written common base That can be practiced face-to-face - To share our thoughts and hopes and fears - To discuss freely peer to peer, Not translated through others' voice Or speaking through selective choice. One common language taught with care To people living everywhere - To help nuture a stable world That all can share - and well deserved That gives a sense of worldwide pride: A common language to provide.