One of the ones

I was one of the ones
who didn't associate meat 
with the living breathing sentient beings
who supplied it.
I don't eat them anymore,
but there was a time when
I did. 
I was one of the ones
who used nasty words 
to describe people who seemed
different 
in appearance, in habit, in language.
I don't use those words anymore,
but there was a time when
I did.
I grew this lettuce myself,
dreading the day it would reach
the point when it was pull it or
let it go to seed.
I pulled it and washed it and 
we ate it with dinner.
I am the one who apologized
hoping it heard me
​knowing I caused pain.