Age, gender, and location are just facts
And not anywhere as important as tact
Or the intelligence necessary to discuss
Important elements of life without fuss
So many focus on these smaller criteria
Without taking in all of the other cheer
Coming from good-natured exchanges
Many have - with any and all strangers
Who don't set sights on things so narrow
And then choose to shoot their arrows
When answers come at them unexpected
And so they attack without perspective
Forgoing the chance of sensible chatter
Which could make them so much better
Helping them forget their inner problems
As they become good friends and blend
- Tristram
Christopher W. Thomas
8:38pm Sat. March 7th, 1998