Can You Love a Stranger?

Can you love yourself?

Can you love a stranger?
Someone that you’ve never met?
Can you love a philosopher
whose writings you just don’t get?

Can you love a politician
with whom you disagree?
Can you love a master
who refuses to set you free?

Can you love a billionaire
who tramples on the poor
and who never has enough
and only wants more, more, more?

Can you love the racist in the crowd
who judges you by your skin?
Who makes it impossible
for you to ever win?

Can you love the store clerk
who always seems so mad?
Can you love the bully
who makes you feel so bad?

Can you love a friend
from the distant past?
How long…
does your love last?

Can you love the homeless man
staring you in the eye?
Do you send him your love?
Do you even try?