We

E Pluribus Unum ~ Out Of Many, One [Author's note: E Pluribus Unum is a traditional motto of the United States, but the scope of this poem is intended to be of a more global scale.] We are farmhands, postal workers, we are rich industrialists We are pilots, sailors, warriors, mathematicians, scientists We are doctors, nurses, dentists; taking care of those in need We are teachers, flight attendants, moms and dads with mouths to feed We post blogs, develop websites, we are software engineers We are athletes, video gamers, we're retired volunteers We are dancers, painters, sculptors, we are actors on the stage We are clerks, construction workers, pay for night school with our wage We are high school educated, college maybe, or hard knocks We are barbers and beauticians, drive a truck or work on docks We are clergy, civic leaders, wardens at the county jail Roll in wheelchairs, use sign language, wear prosthetics, read by Braille We are bankers, tax accountants, proud grandparents, husbands, wives, We are activists who strive to give our children better lives We are widows, orphans, childless; we feel sorrow to the core We are social workers, advocates of justice for the poor We make music or just listen, sing out loud or softly hum We are common, we are special, we are those who overcome We are poets and songwriters, we write letters to our kin Sharing stories of our life, of where we're going, where we've been We are those with beating hearts, with flexing muscles, red blood cells Kidney donors, missionaries, we help dig fresh water wells We praise God in mosque or church, in synagogue or kingdom hall, In a temple, or in nature, maybe have no God at all We are from around the planet, we have skin of every tone We have short hair, long hair, no hair, kinky hair; we're not alone We esteem diversity; you value me, I value you Always with respect for those who hold a different point of view This, my dream: to be united when it all is said and done Though we may not be there yet, we share this journey - We are one. Written 1 Feb 2022