There is no casting humanity aside

Once it is fully perceived

It is internalized

Such that every event

Is viewed through the prism

And each person is seen as unique

With an inviolable legitimacy.

All of us having the same substance -

Whether born in abject poverty

Or the assumed benefits of affluent society

Still fundamentally composed

With equal potential.

And yet, we see the conversion

Of equal opportunity into similar outcomes

Which destroys the individual will

That drives human dignity.

Yes, I am an individual.

Do not absolve myself of blame

For actions I have taken

Even after understanding sources of motivation.

It does not remove personal responsibility

Because someone influenced your decisions.

Even going back to, childhood, school -

What did you believe, anyhow?

All of it? I doubt it.

So the blinders come off

And you see around the bend ahead

You slow your pace just a bit

You breathe softly

She rests against your side

Your arm encompasses her whole being

And in that moment, humanity is real.