Poetry

When the parents express

a dislike or hesitation around

a thing, an animal or a person

their children learn to do the same.

No one is born hating someone else.

All children love each other.

Especially those that are different.

As adults we need to learn to look

at the world like our children do

and love just like they do!

Calling in sick to work,

if you do not have a cough

or rough sounding voice,

it is assumed you are playing hooky.

What if your mental reserves are so low

you would be a detriment to work?

What if your emotional capacity is not functioning

and does not allow you to empathize with other beings?

What if your depression…?

What if your anxiety…?

What if a panic attack….?

What if?

What if people could see how debilitating a mental illness truly is

without having to experience it themselves?

Coaching someone to be their best

requires empathy and understanding.

Any child reacts badly

to being yelled at for their faults.

Years of embedded habits

rear their ugly heads

when you try to be empathatic

instead of just angry.

Courses can be taken though

to help you see

that empathy is a skill

that can be taught.

That is why I know it is so hard to not just give in and yell

but instead to just listen.

Suffering is a constant.

Relief seldom found.

Judgement is given everywhere.

No one wants to help you.

Struggling with tasks is normal.

Stares and unconcern follow you.

Few see past your disabilities

and find the strengths of your abilities!

 

Ultimate and final.

Good versus Evil.

The lines of gray overshadowed

by the fight for freedom.

Oppression and Despair

may rule the people.

All hope is lost

Only then can we know true survival.

Win or Lose.

Gotta get this done!

No time to double check!

First time is done perfectly.

Any mistakes were meant to happen!

Do it!

Do it!

Do it now!

Done!

Was that good enough?

Too late now!

He knows my most intimate thoughts

and the guilt of what I leave undone.

The words he uses are not ones of compassion

though he tries to make them sound so.

I know he loves me.

Yet I find myself wondering

is this a healthy relationship

if I am constantly saying sorry?

My empathy for him

may just be my worst fault

for I can not help but want to help him.

The truth comes unexpected sometimes.

When the world is busy with living.

Who holds who accountable

for the demands of the power used?

I see no love in the equation

but it is essential to all life.

When we learn about ourselves

then can we know more about our world.

The Demanding ones are fed first.

The Quiet ones can be forgotten often.

The Desperate ones are killed.

The Friendly ones do not like to cause trouble.

The Scammers only know how to take care of themselves.

The ones we never see are the ones right in front of us.

Because we too can be the needy ones.

Just one little tweet.

A message about the lies.

Claims of truth insisted.

A Dictatorship aimed for.

Is my life in danger?

For suggesting his sins?

Will the dark days ahead

be ones I get to see

behind the cell bars

of the prison camps?

My fellow prisoners

taste the freedom

of how things

are great again!