I sat

and watched people

as the world passed by.

Cell phones raised.

Eyes lowered.

Everyone…

so busy.

Walking.

Driving.

Trying to get

wherever they need to go.

Ignoring everyone around them…

unless someone

interrupts

their forward motion.

There was a time…

when people

made room

for someone else.

Men walked

on the outside

of the sidewalk.

Doors

were held.

Chairs

were pulled.

Simple things…

that somehow

weren’t so simple.

When did self

outshine love?

When did me

become more important

than you?

When did courtesy

fall flat

while disrespect

walked out front?

I remember the words…

“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”

Not because the song

was perfect.

But because

for a moment,

people believed

the world

could be.

The joy.

The love.

The hope.

It outshined

the darkness

waiting

around the edges.

So maybe…

we should raise

our eyes.

Look

one another

in the face.

Smile…

for someone else.

Not because

they earned it.

Not because

they asked.

Simply because

they’re there.

We don’t have to play

the role

the world

keeps handing us.

Because…

we are the world.

And if enough of us

remember that…

it can become

a better place.