Holding a small pebble

in my hand, I observe

it doesn’t look much, but

it’s smooth to the touch, and it shines

in the last rays of day.

It’s been ground

against others of its kind

in stormy waters, it’s been

tossed around by fierce winds

and caressed by sun.

It’s one among many stones

some rough, some smooth, and all of them

together form the beach

I realize this tiny pebble is me

we are all in this together.