When you start meeting people outside your community
At first you are surprised by what you see
The differences in cultural norms astound you
All you notice are distinctions around you
You view others with mild disbelief, unable to understand
How their lives are so different from yours in another land
Out of curiosity you learn more about them and yet
You maintain your distance, close to them you do not get
*
If you continue to expand your circle to include
Even more people from diverse backgrounds, you eventually conclude
That more similarities than differences exist
Among people, even if assimilation you initially resist
Eventually common human traits overtake
The arbitrary cultural constructs that make
People of different communities believe they are different
You start relating to people to a greater extent..
*
In my humble opinion it is unfortunate
That many people stop rather than trying to assimilate
When they encounter differences, they feel intimidated
And retreat into comfort among people with whom they are related
If only more of us would one step further go
We would truly be able to get to know
Other people as human beings and find
True connection, leaving cultural differences behind
Passion...unbridled 