they came from the earth across the waters;
they were you; they were me;
some were adventurers looking for
wealth and glory, which are really the same;
some were running from affliction
by state, religion, or both.
they came to the land of plenty
on birds with many
white wings upon the water;
they possessed magic wands|
that spouted killing fire;
they were strange and much feared invaders|
to those who lived this land.

they are us; we are they;
we’ve yet to learn
to not be afraid
of folks unlike us
who come from a different place;
so, we take our fear and turn it to hate,
a most miserable state of being
for all in the human race.
do you think any living this land
or from the earth across the waters
considered their fear of the unknown
to numb and erase the budding hate?

Likely there were a few who shunned
the fear and budding hate
but were outliers
while the blustering cowards
moved the crowd with fear and hate
who adopted those who ruled the day
when they came from across the waters

there is no reliance on history here,
but i would like to see
birds with many white wings upon the water
just one time.