I was sitting there on the bench

Quietly looking out

Peaceful

Calm

And then they came and sat there too

 

And after some time

I spoke with them.

 

“I’m afraid of you, you know”

I said

 

They looked surprised

I don’t know if it’s because I spoke

Or because of what I said …

 

Then they asked me why

“Why are you afraid of us?”

They said

 

And I answered

 

“because I don’t know you

Because I judge you

Because I classify you

Because I stereotype you

Because you sound different

Because I don’t understand you

Because you look different to me

Because I don’t know how you think

Because I don’t know what you believe

Because I think that I am better than you

Because I think you don’t try hard enough

Because I think you have reduced my rights

Because I don’t know or agree with your values

Because I think that you think you are better than me

Because you are not how I think you should be … like me”

 

And then when I looked back

Our positions had all changed

And I was sitting where they were sitting

And they were speaking to me

 

And I realised

We are all different

And we are all the same

And we are all afraid

And so, we all attack

To defend

And to justify

Our fear

 

 

 

Of our own growth …