withdraw

a few words, withdrawing

from family participation

and my heart aches for her

for them, for us

something is wrong which

we cannot touch, or even try

to help fix and i feel her

drawing into herself

when we would hold her close

persons v people

persons i can talk with and care for

people tend to gang up and forget

to honor the ones opposite

as human beings worthy of respect

i cringe when my world gets ‘people-y’

because i do not enjoy fighting

but i’m good at it

blind to borders

poor Bluffo stubbed

bloody toe at the border

he refused to see

expect

if truth not honored

or  ‘other’ deemed inhuman

expect betrayal

frank

deciding to be frank

when all subtle clues escape notice

i have privately warned the offender

that tolerance will no longer be gifted

not much gained

tom sawyer as conceived by twain

with assumptions and superstitions

of so long ago that still ring true

that we no longer say aloud our belief

in racial superiority does not alter

our conviction or our actions

i cannot take no for an answer

how to respond rather than react

to those who will not honor

fundamental respect for life

rancid milk of human kindness

rancid milk of human kindness

when one decides for many

the right path, the only way

to believe and live

even a child needs choice

and mild consequences to grow

into knowledge of self

and tolerance if not respect

for others who are, of physical

and mental and emotional necessity, as

different as each individual was created