Intolerance

(Photo by Milan Čobanov)

Figure 8.   Downfall

(R&B/Blues)

[Verse 1]
My thoughts ran with
The current sentiment:
9/11 was the day terrorism
Fell upon the U.S.

[Verse 2]
Years later experience taught:
Terrorism has always been.
Awakened, the root of
Terrorism is intolerance.

[Chorus]
Intolerance is Who, What,
When, Where and How.
Tolerance is Why.

[Repeat Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Intolerance disrespects Self.
Unable to tolerate Self,
Disrespect of others prevails.

[Verse 4]
Accusations, name calling,
Finger pointing take place
Of Self respect.

(Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger)

Figure 9.   Panic

[Repeat Chorus 2x]

[Bridge]
Disrespect is opinions
Of others’ voice.
Coalesced provokes hate;
Fear incites action:
Some subtle, some not.

[Instrumental]

Put-downs are insidious;
Menacing bullies intimidate.
Intimidation terrifies.

[Instrumental]

Striking fear with a thought,
A look, a word, a gesture—
Knowing no borders,
Terrorism is intimidation.

[Instrumental]

[Chorus]
Intolerance is Who, What,
When, Where and How.
Tolerance is Why.

[Repeat Chorus]

(Photo by Ben Mackay)

Figure 10.   Altered

[Verse 5]
Terrorism doesn’t end
By killing others—
The ultimate disrespect.
Terrorism ends inside.

[Repeat Chorus]

[Verse 6]
Accepting Self as the good,
The bad, the ugly, the beautiful,
Is the river my thoughts run…

[Repeat Chorus]

[Verse 7]
Flowing out to sea, the world
Reaches deep for wisdom.
Clouds return raining life.
The current is transformed.

[Chorus]
Intolerance is Who, What,
When, Where and How.
Tolerance is Why.

[Repeat Chorus 4x and End]

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