What We Want To See
See the tears spilling from a mother's eyes;
cradling her child in her arms as he dies.
And feel the anguish that she feels inside:
her baby was shot in his school and died.
Watch a black man drop to his knees in pain;
after the police beat him, yet again.
And feel the shame he is forced to endure,
acquiesce, or be beaten even more.
Think of a beggar, homeless on the street;
labeled a parasite and a deadbeat.
And for a brief time, step into his shoes,
accused of panhandling just to buy booze.
All hopes for a meaningful life are gone:
he's routinely ridiculed and spat on.
And love is something that’s reserved for dreams,
amidst the nightmares and the silent screams.
There is much we choose not to see or feel,
telling ourselves these things can't be real.
In our alternative reality,
our eyes only see what we want to see.
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