Do I Dare?

That man over there. Do I dare approach?

He looks different from me.

His clothes

his skin

his music

his God.

He is an unknown and therefore must be feared.

Because I might get hurt.

He might hit me,

fight with me,

curse me,

hate me,

cut me,

judge me – because I am different from him.

So I will stay over here

safe.

Alone.

Yet – How do I know?

How do I really know?

I won’t know unless I approach.

But if I approach, I may get hurt.

But maybe I won’t.

Do I take the risk?

Is my fear stronger than my curiosity?

My open mindedness?

My hope?

Fear keeps me here.

Here and safe.

Safe and unfulfilled.

Unfulfilled and slowly withering inside the darkness.

Hope keeps me moving forward.

Hope keep me looking up at the Light,

focusing on the Light,

moving towards the Light

while I shine my Light.

Is it worth the risk?

Do I approach this stranger from a strange land

with a strange religion and

try to make a friend?

What if I get hurt?

What if I don’t?

Do I dare take the risk? Do you?