Open spaces, closed minds

"It's a small world", a phrase we use
When we meet people from faraway land.
"Narrow minded", the phrase we use
When we see people with blood in hand.

We read then about battles fought over
love and pride in mythology and history.
We read now about war fought over
Ideology, hate & other reasons, a mystery.

Machines we invented to rear the herd,
sail the sea and pierce the air.
Machines used to plough through a crowd
before they realize, is totally unfair.

Freedom of choice,humanity & compassion
It's taught in closed spaces with open mind.
Freedom by choice, cruelty and execution
It's sought in open spaces with closed mind.

"It's a big world" with billions aboard
and more to come, open spaces not many.
"Open minded" let's become and,
live and let live with peace and harmony.

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©Balaji Palanidurai

Submitted to WAX Poetry in September 2017