We Hear

We Hear

By Valerie Maldonado

We hear the pleas for veterans

We hear the cries for immigrants

We hear that bees must be saved

We hear that refugees need a place

We hear the call for prayers in places of disasters

We hear the call for homeless shelters

We hear the hardships of poverty

We hear the need for pay equality

We hear the rallying cry for women’s rights

We hear the voices for fair gun rights

We hear the advocates for animals

We hear the call for people to vote

We hear the call for farmer’s aid

We hear the views for climate change

We hear the cries of other ethnic communities

We hear the officer who acts justly

We hear the needs of other countries

We hear the words victims of sexual abuse speak

We hear those who plead for the elderly

We hear the voices of the LGBTQ community

We hear the cry for the wronged to be free

We hear the anguish for soldiers who die

We hear the groups fighting for freedom of speech

We hear that we should save a tree

We hear the concerts that promote each cause

We hear the plight of essential workers

We hear the problems the physically challenged face

We hear the call to feed the hungry of every race

We hear and listen to all those who care

We hear, protest, rally and demand change for causes everywhere

We hear and instinctively know none of these disregard the other

We hear, act and as a nation come together

We hear, watch, learn, donate and gather

What must it take for us to hear Black lives matter?

Statue of Frederick Douglass NYC
Picture taken by me 2019