SOFSTAR.

we are always asked to understand the other person's viewpoint
no matter how out-dated
foolish
or obnoxious.

one is asked to view their total error
their life-waste with kindliness,
especially if they are aged.

but age is the total of our doing.
they have aged badly
because they have lived out of focus,
they have refused to see.

not their fault?
whose fault? mine?

I am asked to hide my viewpoint from them for fear of their fear.

age is no crime

but the shame of a deliberately wasted life
among so many deliberately wasted lives

is.