I Never Knew

Angela Du

I never knew what it meant, until that day,

A simple book showed me a new and different way.

I saw a world with hate and power at play,

Things once perfect, now in disarray.

I saw blotchy faces with hollow eyes,

Homes of laughter turned to silent cries.

Women and children running out of supplies,

Families torn apart, and conflicts arise.

I watched as many fell,

Yet, the reason didn’t ring a bell.

I watched, as people slumped in a cell,

This topic we shall not dwell.

But if we can believe

And grow as we grieve,

Put the hate under siege

We can grow and achieve,

Behind the fear and the hate,

Loving justice to celebrate,

With a new and different way, let us open up the gate,

And let us use our words to communicate.

I never knew that we could conquer greed.

Like Lincoln’s vision, determined creed.

Like Malala, writing words to heed.

Defying loss with unwavering speed,

I never knew that humanity is all we need