A mouse and a lion are very different

from the outside

their lines trace them out to be that way

in fact they define opposite

-the world would like to say.

They would say

they are too different

from their creases to the way they walk

to how loudly they shout

or how quietly they talk.

From even how dull their pasts reflect

or how bright their scars shine.

Our world likes to do it that way

they divide and build borders –

for this is yours,

and this is mine.

They tell me that a thousand likes

or a dozen comments and words

are the way to succeed and dream,

but through the eyes of each heart

even a lion and a mouse

are more alike than they seem.

For when we strip away each layer,

when we peel back each scar,

revealed becomes each heart

and we see how similar

we really are.

When we forget how they live or look

when we let go of what we have been told

when the crowds cannot gather

and the events are put on hold,

when we forget what they say

though so much has changed,

we start to see people

in this new and beautiful way.

Change is happening.

Differences do exist,

but when it becomes about each heart

love doesn’t just conquer, it really can persist.

And that is where we realize

that like the mouse and the lion

we need each other

not the competition or fame

not the “he said, she said” game

because despite our beautiful differences

we

are all

very much the same.