Keeping the peace at all cost

means peace is lost

to a sincere

respect for fear.

Smoothing over hurt, anger, hate –

Just see and wait.

Normalizes.

Compromises.

These shadowed oppressions need voice.

I choose this choice.

No more hiding.

Done dividing.

(Note: The Minute Poem consists of 12 lines, 60 total syllables formatted into 3 stanzas of 8, 4, 4, 4 syllables each, with each pair of lines rhyming. Isn’t that fun?)