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