Why is it that we tell children to play nice?
To be respectful?
To say please, and thank you,
And to think of others?

But once we grow into adults,
We don’t have to follow the rules?
We can yell at employee,
Or post a nasty comment,
Or push our way to the front of the line?

Why do we shrug off rudeness with:
“The customer is always right;”
Or event “It’s just not worth the fight?”

Why do we hold children to higher standards
Than we hold ourselves?
And then expect the next generation
To make our world better?

Copyright Sarah Davidson 2021