Learn from History

Most times, when we learn from history, we learn from its mistakes
About the falls, about the slips, about the cracks and about the breaks
"This is the ego that lost the battle, that made the empire fall"
But let us not forget that there is more that we must call historical

We do not record in ancient tomes the smiles shared on a weary morning
And while I think that it is right that we write down all the tragedy and mourning
It should not be eccentric to look at jokes and parties and songs and plays
Or appreciate the leaps inventions had to take even if commonplace today

If we do not appreciate how smart and brilliant our ancestors have been
We may fall into the folly of ego by thinking of our ourselves with a sheen
I do not think it is purely doom to repeat that which is done in the past
Though care should be taken to ensure any repeated step is not our last

Progress is fantastic, but when we ponder why such progress was not made before
Let us find a real answer, such as the difference in technology or prevalence of war
Not simply that it was beyond our parents parents parents parents intellect
Because I've read some of their stories and I'm filled with respect

Simply know that the grandparents of grandparents were not savages
I would loved to share a tale or two despite the difference of our ages
While I'm not ignoring advances in medicine or equality that we've done
I still want to pay my tributes to the steps to help us be who we've become

No mask

 I often wonder if people notice
Those days when I wear a mask
Where I'm tired in the brain
And I don't know what to ask

I'm available now for a limited time
But I hear that stocks wont last
I'm trying to power myself on a sail
That can only reach half mast

Yet even running on fumes
I must add to life's collage
So my todo's don't become neverdo's
I battle on at reduced charge

Poetry does not flow when tired
Instead I fight for every line
This poem has no mask 
But it is truly mine.

***

On rereading this poem, I'm going to clarify that this is about dramatic masks, and not hygienic masks. 

Christian Correction

A question to my fellow followers of Christ
I was not made with perfect eyes
They started good, then to my surprise
My vision began to glass and ice

Now, I live in an age of invention
Where glasses can correct my vision
Such that I can act with a precision
Matching those gifted with ocular perfection

I was not made in my finished form
I had to grow a little, after I was born
Challenges have left my wits torn
But it's ok. We grow. We reform.

So, if all the above seemed uncontroversial
Let me ask if there is any difference at all
Between other matters, mental and physical
Where we need help as a imperfect individual?

You are not unloved if you need drugs for anxiety
Gender dysphoria does not mean you lack piety
We are flawed. That's part and parcel of humanity.
That faith is beyond that? That, to me, is Christianity.

Respect

 I'll respect you if you respect me
And then we'll both have respect you see?
But what type of respect is it I should show?
There's more than one type of respect you know.

I think you're asking for respect for authority
That I should act with reverence and piety
Follow your orders and do what you say
The respect for which obedience is the way

And the respect you're giving me is not that at all
Instead it's the respect you give a near-equal
Simple courtesy, like you listen when I speak
Understand if I'm upset of have a difficult week

But you wont do what I say. Nor should you.
Sometimes in life there are hierarchies to abide to.
I just want you to understand you don't speak honestly
by saying that if I respect you, you'll respect me