Empathy is not Oppression
I only got your impression.
And I thought it was a “bad” message.
What dialogue do you prefer?
And to whom
Him, Me, or Her?
I’m talking to you!
Is there damage there
That we have to control?
How do we know?
You “better” learn how to……?
Can anyone fill in the feeling __________.
Of what this poem is concealing?
without the fingerpoint or the tone
(You might be right!)
You see, a lot of the messages we hear and send
Without Accurate Empathy
We stick like mud
To an interpretation.
The truth is the truth.
It may piss you off
But it will set you Free.
No matter the language
You can listen.
No words sometimes.
just boundaries
Letting go and moving on
Is the limitations we hold.
But for a Rights education
We have Free Will choice.
I’d feel better if you came
Bravely from the noise,
Settled your drama
So we will All huddle in close
And listen,
I promise you,
If you’re still not dead
In a quivering heart
So much can be said.
——Natalie Botero, MA
Empathy is Poetry 