Cona Adams Poet Quatrain

Tolerance

“If you don’t know the kind of person I am
and I don’t know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.*


Shouts abound, demanding equality
Yet, when push comes to shove
My choices are rudely rejected
A bat appears, held in an iron glove. 

Ethics and virtue may only reside  
Down deep in the soul of each
My effect on the thoughts of others
go only as far as my words reach.

Hold on to your own persuasions
And say what you need to say
Please do so in warm acceptance
With bitterness having no sway.

Only those who are politically correct
Have freedom to voice their convictions
But I, too, have my own opinions
And voted as I chose in this election.

When I reach out with a velvet glove
In tolerance, though we don’t agree
And you return resentment and anger
No one in America is totally free.


*William Stafford

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Mark Peterson December 7, 2017 at 11:45 AM Marvelously expressed. I would invite legions of readers to this write, if only to pause and internet the scourge of stolid dogma that pervades the minds of those who don't relent and ignore any invitation to see things in a different light. A better path appears when one climbs up from their rut.

Connie Marcum Wong February 23, 2017 at 8:32 PM This is so true. We must accept what we cannot change, yet continue to work toward our goals without condemning others' choices. Your last line says it perfectly! 7 ; ) Cona Adams February 24, 2017 at 6:58 AM Thank you for the visit, Connie. Yes, we each need to agree to disagree, without condemnation of each other. That's the foundation of the freedom we enjoy. Blessings to you.