Our World

I never had a country of my own
A place of patriotism, a place I could call home

I was never in one place for very long
I kept on changing, moving on

On to different worlds I never knew
Worlds with stories, so absurdly true

Cultures and people so different from me
But so open minded, welcoming my strange family

For they realized our intentions were clear
We wanted to live our lives and care for those we hold dear

And we accepted their welcome for their intentions were also clear
They wanted to live their lives and care for those they hold dear

We knew these people were no less frightened of us than we of them
They had lived many tragedies, as they would tell us now and then

I see now that all the world is the same
No reason to love the sun and hate the rain

No reason to hold prejudice against or discriminate
No reason to love white and fear black hate

No reason to wage war against those who
Want only the best for their people, just like you

No reason to interfere, just try to get along
I have learned that this makes the world strong

I have seen the world and its people and come to realize
That we should listen to those with experience, to look through their eyes

And see the world in a different perspective, in a different way
For why should the sun leave, when the rain wants it to stay?

Adelicia F., 14
Crescent, Iowa

* Reprinted from Positive Teens magazine Volume 7 Issue 4, August 2005

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