Evil Among Us

It doesn't come to me as a sudden realisation

but as a series of disappointments. 

From those who were otherwise nonchalant 

found voice in the horrors of the worst kind. 

The betrayal is felt by everyone who prays different

because everything else you and I do the same. 

We love their food, enjoy their art, even profit from their craft

and at such moments everyone applauds their past. 

So, why are we hell-bent on changing it forever?

Vilifying their existence, wounding their lives, 

atrocities of the kind that deserve a separate hell.

It is us to blame, for letting this go on. 

It is for us to answer for our silence.

This won't last forever, no social evil does

because that's what this is, evil. 

But hoping just the same nearly doesn't mean 

we stop acknowledging the wrong. 

They will remember and so will I, 

asking for forgiveness will not set matters straight.

We have spilt bad blood for generations to taste.