Bukowski

We are always asked
to understand the other persons'
viewpoint
no matter how
out-dated
foolish or
obnoxious.

One is asked
to view
their total error,
their life-waste
with
kindliness.
Especially if they are
aged.

But age is the total
of
our doing.
They have aged
badly
because they have
lived
out of focus,
they have refused to
see.

Not their fault?
Whose fault?
Mine?

I am asked to hide my viewpoint
from them
for fear of their
fear.
Age is no crime,
But the shame
of a deliberately
wasted
life,

among so many
deliberately
wasted
lives
Is.