WHEN WE WERE KIDS

When we were kids
it was boys versus girls,

cops and robbers,

lights against darks.

Only later did it become

inequality and injustice,

sexism and racism.

When we were kids
it was just a game 

that we were playing.

We were having fun

pitting ourselves against

each other,

fellow brothers and sisters.

If we only knew.

When we were kids           

we were young.

The World was our neighborhood,

our neighborhood was the World!

When we were kids

our voices were our voices.

When we were kids

we were captains and coaches,

the referees and the players.

We kept our own score.

Our memories are so short
term.
                        

When we were kids

we were of the same kind.

Creative and innocent,

equal pupils of life.

And now we are not.