These walls of great divide
I wonder why we stand apart
And who you are inside
It's hard for me to see a man
Behind that icy stare
Two sets of eyes, two different views
I wonder if you care
Do you have hopes and dreams and wants?
Do you share my desires?
I've labeled you as one of them
A company of liars
I see you on the other side
Sitting at the gate
Others walk and pass you by
But still you sit and wait
What do you really want from me?
Why is it hard to see?
That I am here, in part, for you
Your rights I guarantee
I stand for freedom, pride, and hope
I keep our nation strong
How can you call me killer?
Your protest is what's wrong
I sit in silent prayer
Frustration at my core
Can't you see that violence kills?
That there's something more?
I wish I understood a way
That I could help you see
Surrendering to violent means
Makes man a detainee
Sometimes I try to love you
Often times I fail
But good is still within you
Behind that armored veil
You anger me at times
Your action makes you traitor
As patriot of peace
I make our nation greater
You may call me what you want
But I can't understand
Just why you want our school shut down
If that's what you demand
I look at you, among the sea
Of crosses, signs, and faces
There is little hope for truce
We come from different places
As I look you in the eye
My weakness starts to show
I catch myself in judgment
Of things I do not know
For no man is his action
No heart pure black or white
We share the constant longing
Of earthly human plight
I have shadows in my soul
And struggles in my heart
Although I long for peace
I know not where to start
I search your face for hatred
But find no remnant there
Only sad confusion
I cannot help but stare
There is hope within your spirit
That fosters it in mine
A hope that we're alike
Our longings might align
Maybe you have wants
Visions like my own
We share a common being
Although we stand alone
Our uniforms are different
But soldiers both are we
We journey here together
In our shared humanity
We bear a badge of hope
Worn across each chest
To fight for dreams acknowledged
And blessing in our quest
We long for peace of spirit
Of nation and of earth
Of people like but different
United through our birth
-C. O'Connell-
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