Straightforwardly

A “you-don’t-fool-me” note

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

When you talk to me about somebody,
and your words are poisoned sounds
that pollute the atmosphere,
I don’t focus on what you say.
I focus on the how.
The way you express yourself
is not characterizing the person you’re talking about;
it gives me information about you.
Trying to “protect” me from someone you know
and I haven’t met yet, is not your job.
My critical thinking is not…