monsters don’t hide

under the bed.

i know. i’ve met them.

they’re in the checkout line.

holding doors.

smiling and saying "hello."

monsters don’t have

glowing red eyes

or long nasty fangs.

they look like you.

like me.

they hold the newborn baby,

and ignore the stranger in need.

they serve the homeless

while spreading hate for

believing differently.

they don’t identify themselves.

they may wear a badge,

a suit,

a cross around their neck.

while they pray for peace

they create excuses for hate.

when did empathy become scarce

only to be rationed like it was running out?

compassion only seems to show up

once the voice is silenced

and the body is cold.

each generation says the same thing.

"we would’ve said something."

"we would’ve fought."

"we would’ve cared."

but would we?

because looking back...

beside all the heroes that stood up,

there’s a well-worn path

where many just kept walking.