Abuse comes in many forms

Some just fall out of the norm

(We all have norms in our lives

Beyond which we shall not dive)



When we see things which irk

We know they've passed that perk

The place we all have in our minds

That fences around the things fine



And points beyond that are dark indeed

For they've tipped past our own self-need

Asking us to accept the vulgarity or abuse

As we're considered to be in a place loose



If we then do, thus lowering our fences

In the process, we become defenseless

And thus - open ourselves up to more

Which, in time, will come thru our pores



Where acceptance is commonplace 

And thus - we then fall out of grace ...

Cheapening our very own self-worth

Lowering our dignity into the dirt ...



- Tristram



(c) Christopher W. Thomas

9:30am Thurs. Aug. 20th, 1998