If We Could Look Different For One Day
We walk down the hallways and streets
Looking at the others around us
We see a multitude of people
And make a snap judgment about each
From the stereotypes we’ve cast.
He’s fat; so he must be lazy.
She’s gorgeous; she must be a witch.
He’s got a black eye; he must be a troublemaker.
When in reality we know nothing of them.
He might have had relied on food as safety.
She might be a sweet girl.
He might have defended another to receive that scar.
For one day,
Or for one minute
If we could imagine how we would be
As the opposite outward appearance of ourselves.
Freakishly tall or elf-like small.
Pack on 100 lbs. or be thin as a twig
Change our skin tone
Change our gender
And walk a day in that life.
How would we be perceived?
Would we experience the same reactions of greeting?
If we were male or female?
Or another color of skin?
A trip to the mall
Would not be the same.
For those of size or height
Would social media treat us the same?
Would our friends be the same?
Probably not.
After we open our eyes and return to our life.
A different perception might await
Which could change the world
Or at least a part of it.
The part where we interact with one another.