it’s hard to make room
for understanding
when the “right” position
is so deeply entrenched
in a firmly held belief

shocking the systems
of reasonable people
empathy takes a back seat
when the “right” position
is belligerently defended

fear of change
lack of compassion
rooted and shackled in tradition
all causing a blind following
of choosing the “right” position

… may they learn how to shift when necessary