When

When listening is treason

Something about communicating becomes duplicitous

Neither serving nor betraying

Our ignorance

When ignorance is sin

Something about asking becomes damning

Neither affirming nor challenging

Our human ability to change

When change is discounted

Something about thinking becomes worthless

Neither emancipating nor enslaving

Our thoughts from our defences

When defences flourish

Something about compassion withers

And with it

The ideals

So fiercely fought for