Look Through Your Mask

Look Through Your Mask

by Rosa Younan

Yes, I see, hear and read all about what's going on. How could I not be aware? Thousands of people sick and dying. Fighting going on everywhere. 
It's sad to see, that we can't seem to come together for too long. Only to debate and argue, not to dance and sing a song. 
I couldn't find the right words and I'm a writer, a poet. Well, no right words truly exist, so I have to swallow my fear and post it.

I wrote this before things got worse. When Covid-19 was still on our mind and it seems like a curse. 
I wanted people to remember amidst all the fear they had. We shouldn't isolate others and assume it's all so bad. 
There are human hearts behind those masks, with feelings, hopes and dreams. Now I see what's happening on the news and all the main streams. 
People fighting for their rights and others choking off our air. In this time, fighting with one another. How could we dare?
Hurting others with our hands and screaming angry names. Then I believe that quote I see which says, "We Are All in This Together," is really all in vain!

Doctors are trying to find a cure but we have a worse flu in our midst. The sickness of racism and hate lingers on that list. 
I sit back in childlike thought and I wonder, "Why?" "Doesn't everyone know that color simply doesn't matter and what's in your heart is the true importance," My own heart sighs. 
I suppose we need a reminder of this, but it's a horrible shame that we do. Because one person’s skin color is different, that doesn't make them different from me and you.

I may not be qualified to talk about this either. But the government has no answers for us and the medical teams don't either. 
I'm not a genius, scholar, or tech wiz. I'm just a woman with own foreign background. Trying to figure if America is really as good as history says it is. 
My dad grew up in Iraq, an Assyrian citizen born and raised. He came to this country to have religious freedom, not for his family to get caught up in this maze. 
I feel horrible for my brothers and sisters of a darker skin. As we text each other and talk on the phone, wondering when love will finally win.

Love will win we see the beauty behind something as simple as the skin. When we understand that there is no them and us. We are all kin.

Below is a poem I wrote that I thought would be about the recent pandemic. Looks like there's some other truths here and we must comprehend it. 
We put a mask on to prevent the spread of disease. Let's work on washing our heart with our hands and stop the bullying, hateful names and being a tease.

Look Through Your Mask

This virus has taught us to be careful, and pay attention as we go.

We wear our masks and wash our hands,

Wary of others now that we know.

But, we run away as people walk by,

To start up some friendly chatter, now we hardly even try.

We distance ourselves so much more than 6 feet,

to hear some friendly words now feels like a treat.

Our masks are covering more than we think,

we look at people and judge without a blink.

In the midst of this chaos, please don't forget,

you have such an important part,

To always share your kindness and remember everyone has a heart!