NO VALUE JUDGEMENTS

I wrote this during my time working in Community Welfare at front line reception and on many days I was distressed by the cases I had to deal with - this poem came from those emotions.

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NO VALUE JUDGEMENTS

Please don’t make a value judgement

When you look at me.

Remember that there are places

Where I would rather be,

Please don’t make a value judgement

When I ask for help from you,

Show me some compassion

Please help me see it through.

Please see with loving eyes,

Not just the colour of my skin,

Remember there is a real person

Living here within.

Be open to the changes

That have brought me here,

Hear the things I am not saying ~

Sense my very real fear.

If I am wrong then tell me gently,

With smile and kindly word,

So that when I leave I will recall

How much you really cared.

Please don’t judge my transport

Or the clothing that I wear.

The way I treat my children,

Or what has brought me here.

Until you walk in my shoes

And tread the path I do.

You cannot know how I feel

When I stand in front of you.

So please, no value judgements ~

Acceptance and a smile,

Will help me with my journey

As I travel every mile.

© Linda J. Vaughan

5^th November 2006