NAIVETY

I believed you were true,
I assumed good intentions -
Time and time again.

I forgave your hostility,
and pardoned your agenda -
Time and time again.

I judged you not,
While you judged harshly -
Time and time again.

I expected too much,
That you’d follow through -
Time and time again.

I took you at your word,
I thought the best of you -
Time and time again.

But

You proved me wrong,
You made me learn -
I shouldn’t be so naïve.

You showed me politics
Rule the world -
I shouldn’t be so naïve.

Your ego and weakness
Devoured your ethics -
I shouldn’t be so naïve.

You beat others down
To bring yourself up -
I shouldn’t be so naïve.

Your heart is coal
For all but you -
I shouldn’t be so naïve.

Yet

While you mire in the grease
Of your unctuous words,
I have hope and peace.

While you roil in the stew
Of your malicious mind,
I have hope and peace.

While you languish in agony
From your insatiable vengeance,
I have hope and peace.

While you connive for power
With disloyal conspirators,
I have hope and peace.

While you squander your future
For mirages and lies,
I have hope and peace.

And

I see the world through my mirror of light in spite of you,
Not through your hate-blackened lens that perceives all as being like you,
And I can see beautiful things you will never know.

You would like me to give in, to tire out, and to lose hope,
But I will ever pursue the ideal, the True, no matter what you do.
And I can see beautiful things
You
will
never
know.