ALS NaPoWriMo 2025 Day 19 Prompt: Use elderly advice in your poem
I am beginning my poem with the words of Wayne Dyer: “Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are.”
Poem: Let’s Not Judge
Judging a person does not define who they are,
It defines who you are–
A learning I picked up, once I grew up,
When I noticed my relations suffering too much,
Owing to the habit of judging oneself and others.
—
Our fear of non-acceptance and a need for validation,
The desire to be consistently right in all situations,
Veils the true story and circumstances of others’ narration,
Kindness, we forget; empathetic, we fail to be,
Our ego drives us to be critical and judgmental.
—
How can we assess anyone solely on their flaws?
Aren’t these the same people whom we love and care for?
How can their speech or actions follow our expectations?
And what are our expectations–some societal endorsed laws?
Why do we hold others to their actions without knowing their limitations?
—
In the journey of this life, we all have different paths,
My obstacles are different from your life’s restrictions,
You are unique in your approach, I have my own behaviour,
How can I make an assertion about your choice and preference?
How can I judge you for being you, or make any accusations?
—
From the same energy of the Universe, we have all been created,
From the same fabric of life, we all experience and heal,
Then why assign labels or undertake evaluations?
Beliefs, experiences, emotions, perceptions–
Let these not manipulate us into judgment!
—
A reflection of our being, we expect the world to be,
Why cannot we accept others with their flaws and their strengths?
Do not define your boundaries,
On others, don’t put limitations,
Do not act so trivial, by judging your relations!
©Vandana Bhasin
19.04.2025
