i am sorry

i am sorry
for the life
my people built
on the bent backs of
your people

i am sorry
for the shame
my people bring me

i am sorry
for my inadequacy
to end this war

most of all
i am sorry
you refuse to see me
as a person
singing a different song
than the prejudiced mantra
of my people

i am sorry
to see
the battles repeat

i am sorry
to hear
the hatred between
your people
and my people

i am sorry these people
cannot believe
that it doesn’t need to be
you against me
your people and my people
can become ‘we’

it starts with two people
and a friendly smile
and when we speak
our people listen

-Abigail Frank