Push Back
I look back at the generations
that allowed me to have life.
I wish I could shake the hands
of Holocaust survivors, and Martin Luther King.
I want to hug Abbie Hoffman and the Chicago Seven
Tell them how grateful I am for their fight.
I want to push back the apathy that creeps
all around me disguised as truth
Push back the decades and nod in approval
That Al Capone smuggled all that liquor
I wish I could thank Harvey Milk personally
I want to be a super hero with the powers
to stop bullets, bombs and time.
I want to hold the veterans of Vietnam
keeping still and quiet as I brush their hair,
My fingers gently comforting them.
I can only apologize and speak for myself
that is the biggest crime of them all.
I want to push back the thoughts of hate,
and rewire every human's brain
To believe in love and kindness,
Believe in change and cast out apathy.
I wish I could apologize and speak
for everyone who lives today.
But the best I can do is set an example
and remind them of the history
that taught me freedom isn't a war.
But the swords of hard hearts and clogged ears
have slashed hearts of believers
afflicting them with visible scars.
Every time someone looks in the mirror
they are reminded of the tragedies; not the love
I want to push them back; blocking their view
a mirror is only the reflection of a perspective
and perspective has the super powers
to stop bullets, bombs and time
I long to beg the world to hold hands, forget hate
But I can only apologize and speak for myself
and that is the biggest crime of them all.
I am sorry for every finger I pointed
for every stone I threw and for every harsh word
I scarred so many with, creating hatred; not love.
I will push back the anger, apathy and hate
I have deposited into my mind and heart
From here I withdraw my savings for war
and empty my heart, smile at my scars, and laugh
Freedom isn't war and life is too short
Not to offer my enemies a hand, a hug, and warmth.
that allowed me to have life.
I wish I could shake the hands
of Holocaust survivors, and Martin Luther King.
I want to hug Abbie Hoffman and the Chicago Seven
Tell them how grateful I am for their fight.
I want to push back the apathy that creeps
all around me disguised as truth
Push back the decades and nod in approval
That Al Capone smuggled all that liquor
I wish I could thank Harvey Milk personally
I want to be a super hero with the powers
to stop bullets, bombs and time.
I want to hold the veterans of Vietnam
keeping still and quiet as I brush their hair,
My fingers gently comforting them.
I can only apologize and speak for myself
that is the biggest crime of them all.
I want to push back the thoughts of hate,
and rewire every human's brain
To believe in love and kindness,
Believe in change and cast out apathy.
I wish I could apologize and speak
for everyone who lives today.
But the best I can do is set an example
and remind them of the history
that taught me freedom isn't a war.
But the swords of hard hearts and clogged ears
have slashed hearts of believers
afflicting them with visible scars.
Every time someone looks in the mirror
they are reminded of the tragedies; not the love
I want to push them back; blocking their view
a mirror is only the reflection of a perspective
and perspective has the super powers
to stop bullets, bombs and time
I long to beg the world to hold hands, forget hate
But I can only apologize and speak for myself
and that is the biggest crime of them all.
I am sorry for every finger I pointed
for every stone I threw and for every harsh word
I scarred so many with, creating hatred; not love.
I will push back the anger, apathy and hate
I have deposited into my mind and heart
From here I withdraw my savings for war
and empty my heart, smile at my scars, and laugh
Freedom isn't war and life is too short
Not to offer my enemies a hand, a hug, and warmth.