Bigger Than Us

 

Bigger Than Us is a poetic dialogue between two partners who are not divided by a lack of love, but rather by diverging beliefs rooted in conspiracy thinking. The piece explores how misinformation and distrust, particularly during times of crisis, can fracture intimate relationships. Drawing inspiration from real conversations observed during the pandemic and beyond, the poem provides a platform for both the “believer” and the “non-believer,” revealing how conspiracy theories can erode empathy, communication, and shared meaning.

 

In the realm of public health, conspiracy beliefs are often viewed as abstract obstacles to behavioral change. This poem humanizes their impact, illustrating that belief systems are emotional anchors that reshape relationships, identities, and trust, not merely intellectual positions.

 

Through verse, Bigger than us addresses themes relevant to public health professionals, such as communication breakdowns, emotional distress, and the interpersonal toll of misinformation. It invites readers to reflect on what people believe and why—and on how health narratives can foster connection rather than division. The poem reminds us that healing requires compassion as well as facts.

 

 

 

 

 

Non-believer

 

Looking at you laying by my side,

I don’t know why,

I don’t know why we are drifting away.

It seems you have changed

Since then.

 

The distance grows.

I tried to drag you back,

But you’re far away

You say,

“They are hiding something”

I don’t know what.

You say,

“Why don’t you understand”

I don’t

You say,

“You don’t understand”

Yes, you are right

Are these hidden secrets and lies

Bigger than us?

Bigger than what we built together?

 

Believer

 

I don’t know why

You keep telling me

I’m wrong.

I have only watched the news

And I got interested.

 

I’m sad

I feel rejected

I feel you don’t care

That you don’t care about me

 

It’s like if I were inferior

As if I were less than you

Why do you keep telling me

That I’m weird

I’m like you!

 

Non-believer

 

I look closer

At the space between us.

It grows wider

You talk about them rather than us

Your eyes light up again

Not for us

Something bigger,

Something more important

Than us

Has occupied your time.

 

Believer

 

I wonder why you don’t see

The bad intentions some people have

Don’t you see that some people

Want to have control of others?

Don’t you see that some people

Really have bad intentions?

Don’t you see that some people

really want to harm others?

Don’t you see that some people

Just think about themselves?

Don’t you see that some people

Don’t care about others?

Some of them

Have really bad intentions

So that they can have more money

And a lot of power

This is true

You have to believe me

Don’t be naïve!

It is you who doesn’t see

What really happens in this world!

 

Non-believer

 

What about the old days?

How we used to be?

I try to hold onto

The laughter we shared

The love we built

But now, all I hear is

You say,

“They are hiding something”

“Why don’t you understand”

“You don’t understand”

I see your passion.

You believe their every single word

Your belief is bigger

Bigger than us.

I tried.

I tried to understand,

But every conversation becomes a debate

I am confused.

I am angry.

I am sad.

I wonder if our love can bring you back

What happened to you?

I don’t understand,

But I am still waiting,

Waiting for you to come back

You are laying by my side,

But you are somewhere else

Will you ever come back?

 

Believer

 

I just think

I’m not crazy

I’m not a fool

I’m not an idiot

I can only say

As you say

That something is bigger

Bigger than us!

If I have caused you

any harm

Forgive me

It’s the last thing

I would want to do to you!

Forgive me

Because I only want

To protect you

And have your support

I want you to see what I see

What I know.

If we walk together

Together,

we will achieve

more than any of us

could alone.

 

By Jiaxing Li and Carlos Alberto Rosas-Jiménez