United by Hilda Kalap, United Kingdom

Unity

Today I craved to see another brown face. Where I live there are not many of them.

Not brown, nor black, red or yellow, nor much in between.

Mostly white or a version of.

A friend said ‘live in Africa for a while, that will sort you out’.

Today for the first time in ages I wished to be in London, away from this rural scene.

I longed to walk through Brick Lane, to smell the spices, to hear Bengali.

I longed to see the red arches of Chinatown, smell the ducks roasting in the restaurant windows, to savour egg fried rice from more than just one place – I could buy a little from all the vendors, yes!

That choice!

Am I being greedy?

Demanding?

Why do I feel this yearning? It took a pause, some self-reflection to finally understand;

That I’ve reached a stage in life where I want to see the whole of humanity in all its hues and diversity, not just a little slice.

I want to witness the union of each and everyone, see us linking arms, hear the languages of the world echo in my ear.

Is it silly to believe that we can all live together, can all love one another?

To know nothing but love on this Earth?

Unity, love beating in steady rhythm.

Tick, tock.

Imagine that……..