Choose Love Poem by Jim Yerman

Love and hate have been battling for years…each one struggling for control
each side hoping to govern our hearts and minds…and take control of our souls.

I am on the side of love…and its cousins acceptance and humanity…
but It's not easy standing up to hate…and its cousins prejudice and bigotry.

We must, however,
because lately hate has been speaking with a louder…angrier voice..
which means…
for all of us who believe in love…
it's time to make a choice.

To all the people hate is targeting…know this…it is you I'm thinking of….
and as others oppress you with their hate…I offer you my love.

And I encourage others to do the same
to unite our voices and actions in defense of the word we want to create…
It's time for the voices of love…
to speak louder…and drown out the voices of hate.

We've waited long enough people….
now is the time to begin…
if our children are to have the future we hope for them
we cannot let hate win.

If you've been waiting and waiting and waiting
I ask…
what are you waiting for?
Hate has been winning too many battles….
It's time for love…to win the war.