How Do I find Peace?

 

What do I Do?

Do I try to understand, do I ask for clarification? 

Do I do nothing and say nothing?

 

I prefer not to listen to vicious accusations.

I prefer not to listen to drunken babble.

I am unable to communicate with anyone whose brain is muddied with drugs or other addictions.

 

Do I do nothing? Do I say nothing?  Do I walk away?

 

My phone number is in the book, I say, call me anytime before 9:00 in the morning, we’ll make plans to get together. Every morning I wait. The call never comes.

 

Whatever I do I risk discrimination.

 

When I was young I was always there with a helping hand and a kind heart and a receptive ear.  All my life I paid forward.  I expected no guaranteed return, hoping that honesty and kindness would reap a good life and a loving family and a strong community. I was so often surprised and occasionally dismayed to discover that that is not how life works.

 

I am getting too old to fight anyone else’s battles or solve anyone else’s problems or even to sooth anyone’s imagined slights.

 

For my own peace of mind I turn around and walk away.