The Softer Side

As babies we are born

With the softer side

All the way around

Innocent, tender

And gentle

To a harsh world

So cold to the touch

Clamoring for

Mother’s warm love.

We are encouraged

All the way from jump

To be nice, kind

Share and say

Thank you

And still the world

We discover is

In a word unkind,

Brutal and bitter.

What say we then

To our children

Who face hardship,

Greed and cruelty?

Do as you’re told

And shut up?

Does it all come down

To every one for themself

The hard way or highway?

Wars have two losers

And it is the children

Who suffer what we

Purged from ourselves

To be hardened souls.

Pay more attention

To growing your heart

Instead of obsessing

Over bodies.

We learn to hold hands

Early when crossing streets

So how did we forget

To do simple things

And get so separated?

Be as little children

Hold onto dreams

Live life better

On the softer side.

Copyright © 2022 Charles Edward York

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