Why are people so mean?
She asks me after finding out
That not everything or
Everyone is safe and that
Some people will lash out
Even if you smile at them.
I take a deep breath and tell her
It’s because they are missing
Something deep inside,
That part of them that feels
Happiness, kindness, empathy,
And that we must keep kind
Thoughts in our hearts for them
Because someone didn’t when
They were growing up.
She thinks for a moment and
Says that she’s glad she can
Keep being nice even when
Others aren’t. My heart expands.
I think of everything I saw
Growing up in my family and
The promise I made to myself
That I would never lose the
Love I possessed inside and
Would always be the
Opposite of mean.