Tolerance

Youth is not a fruitful season for
Open-minded tolerance.
The liberal creed of leniency
Is not an inbred social trait.

It’s more of an acquired nature
Summoned through experience,
Although it seems some never grasp
The aptitude to watch and wait.

Stumbling through my tender years
I felt the angst of restiveness,
Engaged in animosity with
Bickering and baleful brawl.

And though I made it to adulthood
With all my teeth, I must confess to
Trying much too hard to
Run my raucous race ere I could crawl.

And still I find it difficult to
Turn deaf ear
Or suffer fools,
I’ve made a point to find the wrench of
Tolerance among my tools.

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