The Truth

When I live in a place
Where eyes aren’t afraid
To meet in halls
Or on the streets
Or buses
Maybe then we’ll see
Teary eyes and sallow faces
Or maybe we’ll see smiles.
And then I won’t be afraid

When I am not afraid
To show courage
To not look away from cupped hands
To not change the channel
Or radio station
Silencing cries for help
Or be ashamed to beg and cry myself
Maybe then I’ll prefer the taste of kindness
To cynicism
And find my integrity

And when I have the integrity
To speak
To not laugh when I know I shouldn’t
To act when I know I should
And to get up when I fall
Maybe then I can live

And when I find that I can live
And believe the world is good
And full of second chances
That’s when I’ll wake up