Understanding

I understand being angry.
I do not understand blanket statements and
Blindly splattered hate.
I understand disappointment.
I do not understand bitterness directed
Among those who disagree.

You want your rights, your freedoms.
To think, to decide,
To be one in purpose,
Or to violently disagree.
I guess you want me to have these rights, too . .
As long as I don't choose to think
Or decide
Or disagree
On something you hold dear at heart.

I know beyond shadows
Of doubts
Ones which you would have creep into my mind
That I am a good person.
Intelligence does not evade me,
I care for my fellow man.
I consider the issues, and make decisions
To the best of my ability.
There are things which stir me so deeply
That I often feel tears,
And I am also frustrated when I lose what I have wanted
So much
For so long.

But I will not choose to blame you for wanting something different.

I have learned,
Respect given does not guarantee respect returned.
And also I have learned,
To be ok with this.
We make choices based on our own issues
And I can leave it at that.

But I am still saddened, and a little bit dismayed,
When I look into the face of a friend
And hear you call me a narrow-minded fool,
Or a brainwashed idiot,
Or any other insult which serves to soothe
Embittered nerves.

I do understand your anger,
But forgive me if I withdraw.
For I have trouble assimilating this understanding
To your anger at me.
And I am sorry for our friendship,
That you had trouble understanding
How I simply disagreed.