Who Are We To Judge? Poem by Jim Yerman

Two people sitting in the park…for a moment their lives are linking..
Let's take a listen inside their heads…and see what each is thinking.

She dresses in clothes that are different from mine.
She comes from another land.
She worships a different God than me.
She speaks a language I don't understand.

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel.
I'm not sure what to do.
Because a small portion of the people I know hate her
and I'm told to hate her too.


If they would only talk to one another…they'd have a lot to say
They both believe in a God (though different ones) , in a holy book and a judgement day.

They both believe in prophets, in angels and honesty…
in forgiveness, patience, truthfulness…in goodness and humility.

They believe in being kind to others…in unselfishness and sincerity…
in courage, in moderation, and above all…in family

If they had talked to one another…if this information they had sought…
perhaps they would have realized…they have more in common than they thought.

When we prejudge a person. When we are too quick to dismiss...
How quickly our initial prejudgement…turns into prejudice.

When we denounce another person.
When we have presumed...then condescended...
I have to ask no matter what religion you practice
Is this what your God intended?