It's On Us

When a country for everyone is for no one
It's on us
When a table for many forgets to serve any
It's on us
When laws to protect become excuses to reject
It's on us
And when good people ignore a chance to restore
It's on us

When those who divide make us choose sides
It's on us
When no one questions the harm of a direction
It's on us
When those who do deal make a business to steal
It's on us
And when things go awry make us scream “Why?”
It's on us

When those who complain see no relief from pain
It's on us
When wounds left untended leave no one mended
It's on us
When the tools we use break others and abuse
It's on us
And when the call to change is silenced by rage
It's on us

When the name of the game is to shame and blame
It's on us
When the insider denies kindness to the outsider
It's on us
When the color of a face fuels disgust and disgrace
It's on us
And when the world we revere is no longer here 
It's on us

When wrong answers suppress the right questions
Walls builds ignorance through tyranny and oppression

No heart or mind can thrive on the fringes
When we choose to share, we build bridges.

Where there is private property
Crime creates poverty.

And where there is malice
There is also injustice.

Settlers grow endless family trees
Slaves only chains and prison memories.

But when tradition locks up progress
Freedom casts off shackles to redress.

The favor of one is mercy for none
The free fight for right until it is won.

When those who are divided choose to be united
It's on us
When seated and stable are all equal at the table
It's on us
When a world without crevasse is no longer lip service
It's on us
And when love has no color, gender or border
It's on us

Start with your thoughts, taught or how you see
Apply them to the one in the mirror called me

The future improves for those who share the way
It's on you and me, family, to make a better day. 

Copyright © 2016 Charles Edward York