ORDINARY DECENCY

Ordinary Decency,
These things most of us know
To expect from one another.
A simple, kind, respectful greeting,
Patient silence when listening,
An observant receipt of the needs of others
And an attempt to address that need,
If only in recognition,
Is non-negotiable.
There is no higher idea or calling,
Where we should set this aside,
In the name of some muscled ambition or ‘truth’.
If it is not present,
When we gather,
Then we have nothing.