i’m searching

searching for the thread of humanity

that links us all together

the thread that reminds us

that we all need food to survive

and a bed at the end of the day.

that

we all need people to love

and to love us.

we all have stared at an ocean

or a burning fire

or heard the rain on the window

and breathed easier

for a few moments.

we all have a favorite food

and a night that we remember fondly.

we all know what it feels like

to stub a toe

or to nurse

a broken heart.

we all have hummed a song

not knowing any of the words

and have burnt our fingers

while preparing food

for someone

we love.

we all have cried

and we all have laughed

we all know the meaning of loss

and birth

and growth.

and when the world erupts in flames

and we become enemies

somehow it seems that

it doesn’t matter

that we are all human.

we’re tired.

can’t we find some other way

to make our voices heard

without simply raising our voices

above

the

rest?

i’m searching for humanity

in a world of humans.

—

Etti Krinsky