I speak of love. You hear anger.
I talk of encouragement. You hear argument.
I encourage empathy. You hear “too soon.”
I challenge your views. You hear nothing.
So I become angry.
I argue.
I harden.
I turn into nothing, a nonevent. No voice, unworthy of attention. A burr in the sock, a goad in the side, a blister on humanity. Dismissed.
But I am not nothing. I would love you if you would let me. Who knows? Your life might be the better for it.
I offer to improve your life. You hear arrogance.
I am dismissed.