I can see the world in constant strife,

I can see the pain of a lonely bride,

I can see the hate in a trusted friend,

I can see the fear in a growing trend.

I can hear the roaring cries for change,

I can hear the grumbling in exchange,

I can hear the whimpers of distress,

I can hear the confusion of progress.

I can smell the stench of darkened alleys,

I can smell the anguish of lost rallies,

I can smell the greed of a corrupted pen,

I can smell the need of homeless men.

I can taste the bitterness of failing dreams,

I can taste the guilt of betrayed teams.

I can taste the anger of suppressed desires,

I can taste the smoke of burning pyres.

I can touch the wound of a dying soldier,

I can touch the roof of a broken shelter,

I can touch the sea of hopeless faces,

I can touch the stink of rotting places.

Yet I feel…

Yet I feel a ray of sunshine,

Breaking through the cloudy shrine.

Yet I feel the whistling breeze,

Whispering sweet secrets of far-off seas.      

Yet I feel the rippling laughter

Of country folks on their rafter.

Yet I feel the peaceful silence,

Of shared emotions and reliance.

Yet I feel the pleasure of a kind word,

Like the chirping of a bird.

Yet I feel the passion in a simple hug,

And the love behind a lifted mug.

Yet I feel a hope in innocent eyes,

Waiting for their turn to rise.

Yet I feel a pride in a nation,

That values humanity as its foundation.

Yes, I can see and hear, just like you,

But, I choose to feel and love, like I do.