Poetry: Coin Toss

 

When I was a child

I

railed at

argued with

those who

disagreed

with me.

 

Everything

was personal

I wailed in

anger

impotence

inability

to make others see

and agree

with me.

 

When I grew up

I understood

it’s not personal

these debates

one side against the other

it’s

ignorance

fear

intolerance.

 

I do not need to justify

my opinions

my beliefs

only stand by them and witness;

time

and life

will educate,

communicate

illuminate

and we will

either

stumble and fall

or

step and rise

climb

the mountain of wisdom.

 

Vitriol

solves nothing

starts wars

causes

death

estrangement

 

Let us,

instead,

drink tea (or coffee, if you prefer) and debate

as adults

our opinions. An honest, open discourse

and agree to disagree

if we must

each,

tolerant

respecting

the other’s right to be

wrong.

 

(Image credit: jordan-rowland-wtlloyrn70e-unsplash.jpg)