Live In The Gray

 

Twenty for dinner

The guests’ young and old

Bring a bottle of red

And let the conversation unfold

We all agree the world is a horrible mess

We’ve all played a part

Yet we’re afraid to confess

Do you take a two-minute shower

Or a deep soak in the tub

Would you have an abortion

Or condemn someone who did

Do you get a new Prius every two years

Or drive an ancient gas guzzling Humvee

And whatever you choose

Do you think you’re better than me

The soup is served cold

But temperaments run hot

What the young boy believes

Grandfather clearly does not

By dessert there is shouting from both of the groups

Their points more important – both feeling progressive

Then a young voice states quietly, well that may be so

But isn’t it regressive to be so blatantly dismissive

She lowers her gaze

And takes a sip of her water

She clears her throat to speak

She’s the prodigal daughter

Life is too complex

To operate in black and white

And should we limit our options

To being defined – Left or Right

Not one singular Identity should steal center stage

Because not one of us is more important at the end of the day

It’s not always about winning and getting our way

Unity and tolerance are about being able to live in the gray

Sadly, what she said

Might have been true

But one of the camps

Shouted over her, their point of view