to silent heroes (Oct 20, 2023)

to the girl who
pressed a finger to her lips
quieting a stranger
as an officer went by

to the boy who
passed a morsel of bread
through the bars
as a guard looked away

to the woman who
opened the attic of her home
to frightened neighbours
as jackboots rang aloud

to the man who
refused to speak a name
rejecting his own pain
as a baton came down

to the adult who
knew the hate
but chose instead to help
in seemingly small ways

to the child who
remembered the fear
but chose not to hate
for a better future

to the silent heroes who
showed humanity
when being human
was a dangerous matter