A Plea For Forgiveness Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

Forgive us if we claim to be
Activists for peace and justice
And yet we remain silent
to your cries and plea for help.

Forgive us if we close
our borders because of fear
And miss the chance to help
You in time of your great need.

Forgive us if we uphold
Human rights of all peoples
On earth and yet segregate
Those who are worthy of
Our attention and hospitality.

Forgive us if in our inability
To help and rescue you
We only seek to protect
first our own self-interests.

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