I wish I felt
Thank you
From a deeper place
Within me
Than I do
Wish I knew
How to muster up
Sincere gratitude
For that which I’ve never
Been deprived
Wish the thankfulness
I naturally feel
When someone
Clarifies something that has confused me
Takes a burdensome task from me
Or simply holds a door open for me
Would well up within me
Both daily and on days set aside
To honor the monumental sacrifices
Of those who have given up
The comforts of their lives
To make mine more comfortable
What is it then
Is the sacrifice so big
That I shut it out
Of my soul
Knowing that
To let it in
Would also mean letting in
My glaring unworthiness
Of the gift
I wish I felt
Outrage
At the first sign of injustice
Rather than having
To coax it up out of me
Wish I more willingly
Let the anger fire in
And used it to extinguish
The drenching waves of wrong
Which are drowning us all
Wish the indignity
I naturally feel
When someone
Insults what I hold dear
Treats me as invisible
Fails to see my worth
Would rise up within me
Instantly and permanently
To stand up for and beside
Those who have been wronged
And hold space for the narrative
Of all involved
What is it then
Is the injustice so disgraceful
That I shut it out
Of my soul
Knowing that
To let it in
Would also mean letting in
The deep pain of generations
A pain I’m not sure I can hold
Is it that I’m already broken
In so many ways
That I opt out of pain
Presented as optional
If not, what is it really
What is it then