If I believed
Marilyn Wheeless, Kenai
If I believed I would have to live the rest of my life
Crouching behind windows peeping out at my world
In fear.
If I believed my country, my city, my village
Had to be isolated from every other village, or city,
Or country in fear.
If I believed I could only be safe by pointing a gun at
My neighbor, my friend, my family because
I was afraid.
If I believed instead of bridges, walls had to be
Built between races, religions, or differently oriented
People hidden behind this wall or that wall in fear.
If I believed the hate message instead of the hope message,
That there would be no chance, no opportunity, no
Optimism, just fear.
If I believed the messages I heard, if I let those messages
Own me, control me, squash me in constant fear,
Then, if I believed, why would I want to live?
