Look me in the Eye

To those who look down on me,

To those who claim I have no right to be

To those who cannot look me in the eye

To those who deny me respect

I do not look up to you

I will not prostrate myself to you

I will stand tall and be true to myself

For as a human being, I am your equal

Just remember that in the beginning

We all come into this world naked and helpless

And in the very end, your possessions, your successes

Cannot protect you from the sands of time

You can fight the ravages of age,

Take a scalpel to the wisdom in your face

But when the dark rider comes

He will know you, despite your tricks

And when he comes to the door

You and I will find ourselves equally naked and helpless

He will not be impressed by fancy clothes and pretty rings

He will not care about large homes and fancy things

He will look into your heart to see who you truly are

He will strip away the veils and masks you have worn

He will find the essence, the light that drove you

That gave you purpose, the compass to guide your actions

He will no more look up to you than he will to me

He would no more prostrate himself to you than he would to me

He will stand tall and be true to his purpose

For as mere humans, we fall to his scythe… as equals