All the people

I could see all the people 

I could see all their tears 

I could see each and everyone 

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

Oh how the world has become so silent 

I can see so many faces 

I can see so many masks 

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

Oh how the anger has grown 

I can see such hate filled words 

I can see the souls shatter 

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

Oh how they quarrel 

I can see how much it means 

I can see how much it takes 

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

Oh how I wish that we could see 

See how beautiful we could be  

See how unique we stood to be 

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

Oh how I wish that we may learn 

Learn to see the souls of others 

Learn to shed the veil of our own  

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

Oh how I wish that we may dream 

Dream of the universe 

Dream of the world 

So similar and so different 

But the pain was so very the same 

 

I can see our potential 

I can see all our dreams 

I can see each and everyone 

And it is so beautiful 

May we all see the people

Tristan Barnard

BSc Wood & Wood Product Science,
STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

This poem was written out of the idea of reflecting what can be seen in the world around us and imploring people to love and accept each other while grasping the idea of how beautiful that may be and how beautiful the world we could build together may become.

Illustration done by Neil Mellet

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