If Only

An original poem by Rabia Subhani

Oh Dear One,

Why do you hold onto your anger?

And why hold grudges for imagined slights?

Why foster dislike for those you don’t know?

All the “others,” different from you.

For there are no others, if you could only see.

Like the ever-turning tides of the ocean,

anger can learn to wash away, leaving behind the foam of compassion.

For there is no peace in a grudge, and no kindness in resentment.

The cup of bitterness cannot quench your thirst

and a plate of loathing cannot sate your hunger.

There is naught to be gained from wishing ill on others,

except your own demise.

For there are no others, if you could only see.

Take off your blinders, Dear One.

Open your eyes and your heart to humanity.

We are all in this together, never alone, never apart.

All suffering in pain. All longing for the same love.

For there are no others, if you could only see.

We are all love.

Packaged in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Created from the same source of Divine Love

and going back to the same, when our job here is done.

But we have forgotten, have we not?

That we were once One and will be again.

For there are no others, if you could only see.

What if we could remember?

Who would we be?

If we could just remember, that we were once Love

and could be again if we so chose.

If only.