2) THE NEXT CONVERSATION*

(Jefferson Fisher’s book ch 2)

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To think and get some realistic goals

about the conversations that come by, 

will take some time of life and playing roles

that show off kinds of kindness that I'll try,

yet still seem far away from what I do. 

I value what that fellow has to say 

and hope it will help me when I'm with you, 

or with my neighbour - if he comes today.

So don’t just think of fixing ev’rything.

Begin with thinking of a  forward step.

And hoping/ praying, even start to sing

of habits that could be built on, not swept

away with any storm in tea-cup here.

So habits of relating that can grow

and let some other goodnesses appear

or take root in the plot of soil we know.

And see it’s not just rubbish soil I find

about the place, but stuff I think is rich

for growing things. What values come to mind -

from time I've spent on Earth so far. A ditch

that catches silt, where things will often grow,

or compost that’s had time to break down well.

Add thought (& prayers) to learn (if not to know)

and ask around, to learn to really tell.

Not telling folk, as though I am their boss.

(Except if I am. Then I s'pose I should

be clear, and still respecting any “loss

of face” I bring to them, or lack of good).

But learning how to tell what will avail

for goodness to grow up between us here.

My gard’ning skills might often seem to fail,

or sheep eat all the shoots that do appear.

No system that is never-failing yet,

a process with priorities that might

help me in this setting to not forget

and be more ready to learn, not just fight.

What’s, if I had to choose, one phrase or word

I need for them to understand of me?

What small step can I take to show I heard?

And what have I assumed that they might see?

(and sometimes I am right, as well as wrong).

And how can I show gratitude to them,

for opportunities to “come along”?

Is there an argument I want to win?

So these might help me set some goals to win

a friend, if not an argument as such.

My values help get there, not to bin

what might help me create, and keep in touch.

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Footnotes

N* - re-reading; from 15 min into Chapter one to end of ch. Two (goals & values).

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