I would feel compelled to have the last word
Back in the day you would have heard
Me trying to counter every point someone made
With one of my own, not much attention I paid
To understand the other person’s point of view
I had to chime in with my opinion too
An unfortunate habit of mine it became
I have no one but myself to blame
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As with other mistakes we make unwittingly
I realized my folly when someone did the same to me
This person would counter me on every issue
Soon I realized to my chagrin that I did this too..
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Once I understood how annoying this could be
I consciously tried to bring about change within me
I tried to listen patiently to what people had to say
And refrain from counter-arguments just to get my way
I realized that I had not really been trying to comprehend
People’s views- to impose my opinions on them was my intent
When I really took the time to listen, I did find
To give my opinion freely, I was rarely inclined
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It is easier to chime in to have the last word
It is harder to let someone else be heard
I am often tempted to offer my point of view
But ignoring that impulse is what I mostly do
Passion...unbridled 