To Be Heard

Look how hard it is To be heard in a world where everyone's voice is drowned out By violence in the streets, sirens blaring, babies crying, and a mother's sobs for her dead son. Look how easy it is To be judged in a world where everyone's got an opinion about everything, From what you wear to where you live to what God you worship and who you choose to love. See how common it is To be just another person jumping on the bandwagon Of hate, immaturity, empathy, and prejudices against those who we should call our brothers. See how simple it is To change the lives of those around us With a word of encouragement, an act of kindness, an acknowledgement of the sacrifices of a vet that's begging for change on the side of the road after their country abandoned them. This is what it takes to be heard, to push past the prejudices and see someone for who they are, to forge your own path instead of following in others' footsteps, to change the world with your voice. It takes courage and defiance, persistence and the fire in your heart to make something happen in a world that only wishes to silence, judge, follow and sustain. Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." So quit whispering and do what it takes TO BE HEARD.