walking the line.

Compassion and patience lead to helplessness.
who am i?

i want them to be kind.
Mostly that's all. pretty simple, really.

When they are less than kind
often times MEAN, i try to control.

i actually find myself trying to MAKE them
kind. it doesn't work.

i try some more. insane, right?

i try KINDNESS sometimes to make them
be kind.
it doesn't work some more.

then i find mySELF NOT being kind
in attempt to MAKE THEM KIND.

then i shudder at the interest
in manipulating and controlling them so.

i tell myself, BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH
TO SEE...BE IT.

but to let it go?

to simply let them be?

let them just BE
people that others see
as filled with something
so UGLY?

and yet, that IS what i must do
i must allow them to make their
own choices

and REMAIN steadfast
that what i say and wish for them
does matter, not just to me.

to them.

and allow them to BE it

on their own terms

i love them and guide
them and raise them
and yet:

i am not their owner.