only one
when will we learn,
that there is only one,
and he is the same for us all
Christ is my Lord,
Buddha my Teacher
Allah my Savior,
Vishnu my God
each is the same,
and speaks to their people
the same as all other Gods
I cannot believe
that my god is the best
better than all; all of the rest
I cannot believe
that my god is the best
he is the same for us all
we all base our lives
on the same basic values
preaching the same
fundamental beliefs
claiming to be
a tolerant people
while inside,
deep hatred seethes
we’ve warred, and we’ve raged
we knelt, bowed, and prayed
we killed and were saved
for the sake of his name
inequities lasting
for thousands of years
generations of believers
harboring fears
widows and orphans
with pledges to keep
piety tainted
by prideful conceit
suspicions abound
and objections astound
we all stand on testament,
yet all disagree
when will we learn
that we each stand as witness
and find language
that brings us to peace
when will we learn
that there is only one
and he is the same for us all?