Privilege

 

It's a privilege to receive

a human birth
no matter what tint of
wheat or mahogany,
umber, peach, or rose
your skin is.
It's a privilege
to be born on earth
with four legs or two,
wingéd or finned.
A privilege to take
this breath
jostling with atoms
that were breathed by
Buddha, by Jesus
and Mohammad,
by all our ancestors.
There is only one breath.
Only one family.
One earth.
Cherish the privilege.
Share it with joy.

Image: Vladimir Ovtcharov