Words

“I don’t trust you, and you don’t trust me.”
“I HATE YOU”
“Everything here is mine, you can’t have any of it.”
“We are superior, you are inferior.”
“You’re either for us or against us.”
“You’re one of Them, you’re not one of Us.”
“I want what you have.”
“Why do you dress different?”
“Why do you look different?”
"Why do you talk funny?"
“What are you accusing me of?”
“My beliefs are the only valid beliefs.”
“I’m afraid”
“Anger is often born from fear.”
“I’m afraid”
“Aggression is often born from anger.”
“I’m afraid”
“Perceived slights are often misunderstandings.”
“You don’t trust me not to try to take over, and I don’t trust you not to go nuclear.”
“I have resources you want."
“What can I learn from you?”
“What can I offer from my experiences?”
“What do we have in common?”
“Why does it have to be Us and Them, why can’t we all be Us?”
“Who are you to tell me what to do?”
“I was taught that your kind are….”
“We have nothing in common.”
“You can’t teach me anything.”
“What makes you think you’re better than me?”
“You’re deceitful”
“Liar!”
“You don’t belong here.”
“I want to be bigger.”
“I want more power.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“I don’t trust you and you don’t trust me.”
“I’m afraid”
“I’m angry”
“I’m acting out.”


Silence. Listen in the silence. The beginning of communication happens between the words in the moments of silence when each and every one is waiting and listening straining to hear, to understand. There in between the jarring cacophony….


“I hear you.”
“I see you.”
“I want to be an ally.”
“I accept you as you are.”
“I’d like to know more.”

“I understand”
“I don’t understand, but I’d like to.”
“I think we had a misunderstanding.”
“I made a mistake.”

“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry.”

“Peace!”
“Need a hand?”
“How can I help?
“What do you need?”
“I was wrong.”
“I didn’t know.”
"Let’s talk about that.”

Acceptance and understanding and hope are found in talk of peace.

— Lkai