The Snake and the Songbird

What’s wrong?

Said the snake to the songbird.

What’s wrong, little songbird?

Why don’t you sing me a song?

You see,

Said the songbird to the snake.

You see, I’m tired of running away.

Of hiding, of only singing songs

That others want to hear.

What’s wrong?

Said the songbird to the snake.

What’s wrong, Mr. Snake?

Why don’t you just eat me and go?
 

You see,

Said the snake to the songbird.

You see, I’m tired of being the villain.

I’m tired of chasing you down.

It doesn’t seem quite fair.
 

I agree,

Said the songbird to the snake.

I agree, I’m tired of running away.

I’m tired of being oppressed

And living my life in fear.

I’m sorry,

Said the snake to the songbird.

I’m sorry, for making you run.

For making you hide

And cower in fear.
 

Well, thank you,

Said the songbird to the snake.

Well, thank you, for seeing what you did wrong.

I do not forgive your actions,

But I will try to understand

Your own situation.

This poem is something I wrote to remind myself that not everyone who has wronged you is inherently a bad person. Sometimes they don’t even mean it. But they still wronged you. You don’t have to forgive them, but sometimes it can help to look at things from their perspective.