Universal Love

I don’t like being judged
Just as I don’t try to judge you.
My reasons are simple--
I have never walked in your shoes
Never lived with your limitations
Never felt your pains
Do not know your hopes
Or what gives you pleasure
Or how your teachers and
Others influenced you.

Were you hungry
Homeless
Without love
Did you live in isolation
Disfigured
Forgotten
Or dragged into slavery?

I doubt if I could have
Survived those acts
Of cruelty.

‘Tis better to be
Kind
Caring
Understanding
Tolerant
Forgiving
Loving.

Even then--
Especially then…
Do not judge me and
I dare not judge you.