Perspective

It happens every day, you know
You probably do it all the time.
To the checkout girl with rotten teeth
Or the family of nine in line.

They bought potato chips and soda
And smelled of cats and sweat.
They pack into their rusted van
You think: "Back to a shack, I bet".

You stick your nose up in disgust
I've admittedly done it too.
That family wouldn't be gross and obese
If they tried as hard as you.

The facts are that you never know
Someone else's situation.
You base your judgment on the bias of
The popular implication.

That family likes food and soda
Some like alcohol and drugs.
Some parents allow their children
To live among clutter and bugs.

You're right. That family does have cats
Seven kids and three furry friends.
They only know how to live on love.
So they dont care who that offends.

The head of the household, the father.
Is a commercial truck driver named Ben.
Ben is no stranger to long hours
Hes been working since he was ten.

He never had a homecooked meal
Or a table to break his bread.
Some nights he got just enough
Other nights, went hungry instead.

So he may indulge his family when
Its sugar and soda they seek.
What's a few extra calories
When it's the first time you saw them this week?

Ben may have a few extra pounds
But hes always walking tall.
Unashamed because when he was young
He had no food at all.

When you close your mind
The world in your eyes will worsen.
You think: "who cares. Who are they to me?"
Why does it matter? They. Are. A. Person.

When did it become acceptable
To play God in our small shoes?
To decide amongst ourselves
In life, who will win and who will lose?

Practicing coexistence and acceptance
Is what will get us far.
Not relying on first impressions
To tell us who people are.