debate is great, duel is cruel

Merril hosts dVerse poetics and (remembering the infamous headless horseman) encourages each of us to “hold on to your head!”

______________

when you strongly disagree
with either them (or maybe me)
…hold on to your head

when politics don’t seem to go
the way you think that they should flow
…hold on to your head

when the news sounds awfully bad
or reported stories make you sad
…hold on to your head

when nuance colors point of view
you recognize both sides are true
let common ground be found anew

whenever you are criticized
or favorite group is stigmatized
control yourself, be civilized

hear outrageous words you said—
you truly wish “those” people dead?
please…hold on to your head!

________________

ten word tolerant

“Tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you. ”  ~ Timothy Keller