Have you ever had an argument with someone you care about? Has it ever developed into a situation where something you say ends up causing the other person to cry?

I can say yes to both. More times than I’d like to remember. Whether or not it’s my fault, no matter who may be right or wrong, It’s the kind of thing makes me feel bad. But I don’t know that I want to feel differently in those situations.

I know people who seem capable of hurting others without feeling anything at all. Maybe it’s an act. Maybe I don’t even show my empathetic feelings as much as I think I do. Whatever the case, I don’t know how you could care about someone and not flinch at least a little when you see the tears come into their eyes.

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Speaking of mistakes, one of the things I’ve noticed about writing haiku on napkins (as I have with this one) is that the soft, less slick surface of a napkin actually makes it easier for me to not make mistakes. Perhaps it’s because I have a tendency to gather steam as I write, which leaves me prone to miscues. Which is probably also a part of the reason why I prefer fountain pen to roller ball.

All of which has nothing to do with the point of the haiku itself.

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resist the contempt
bred by familiarity;
just appreciate.

image: Denise Gould