Wishes

I wish the world
was not so cold-
I wish I could
be quite bold-
To right the wrongs
to stop the hate
to cease our fate
of self destruction
offering instead absolution-
-
To have the ability
to offer a hand
to my fellow man-
Without repercussion from those
that oppose and oppress-
Those that think there is nothing wrong
with a person
who has to make their bed
on a sidewalk instead
of a warm and cozy bed
the rest of us
take for granted -
-
This world grows
more intolerant by the day-
We look at each other
with suspicious eyes-
Unable to accept
the changes that occur daily-
-
Where working hard and faithful
no longer guarantees
you will see the fruits
of your labors
waiting for you
when your job is finally done -
Where most are a paycheck away
from sleeping on that sidewalk today-
-
It's scary, this world-
That precarious hold
on decency, kindness, tolerance
is quickly slipping away-
The warmth of a summer breeze
has been replaced
with winter's icy freeze...