connection is impossible

as I watch and listen
all I feel is pain

people who were once friends
now argue

people who were once family
no longer speak

people who were once together
disconnected

and the root of all this is fear

fear of the known
fear of the unknown
fear of death

when fear takes over
the ability to listen stops
now everyone wants to speak

but no one is listening

a line is drawn
people choose a side
resentment grows

but no one is listening

anger taints our perception
people speak louder
the noise increases

but no one is listening

our world is in pain
so are we
but until we begin to listen to one another

without judgement
without criticism
without shame

we will never understand

we will never understand the fear the other person holds within
and until we do
connection is impossible

#chasingbutterflies