Somewhere, In-Between

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

During the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic I have witnessed several headed arguments about the wearing of face masks. I discussed this with a GP at the start of the crisis and, basically, she said t was down to individual choice, that it would not sop anyone getting the virus but it may well help slow the spread of it. I have only been verbally abused once for not wearing a face mask, and I gave as good as I got.  I am very uncomfortable wearing a mask;  my breathing is becomes difficult and I get very stressed out. I had the virus in early January when I misinterpreted all the symptoms as a very bad cold and stayed indoors. I am also of a generation taught to put a hand or handkerchief across our mouths when we cough or sneeze,  As someone who uses public transport a lot in normal times, I have to say that many people do not bother even with this simple act of hygiene. When life gets back to some semblance of normality, I will wear a mask on public transport whether it becomes mandatory or not. Meanwhile, all the while it is voluntary, I will continue as I am.

When not directly involved, it is often possible to see both sides of an argument or divisive situation. We then, of course, leave ourselves open to the accusation that we’re sitting on the proverbial fence. Well, as my mother used to say, there is nothing wrong with that so long as we are prepared to jump down and take sides should the need arise.

Seeing both sides can help us to move a peace process along; it can also create further divisions and lose us friends among those convinced they are in the right so everyone else must not only be in the wrong but an ‘enemy’ for thinking so. (I dare say I'm not the only person to have been squeezed out of certain areas of circulation in that way.)

Yes, life can be tough for those 'in-betweeners' of this world. Mind you, as I have already pointed our regarding my mother's wise advice, no one can sit on any fence forever and we all need to be prepared to jump down on one side or the other when (as invariably it does) push comes to shove .. .

AS I see it, if more people were inclined to agree to differ instead of insisting on open conflict, the planet, its various societies and those of us within those societies would enjoy a far happier and more peaceful life.

SOMEWHERE, IN-BETWEEN

Day is day

as night is night;

in-between, a twilight

always playing tug-of-war

with us

Love is love

as hate is hate,

yet we can always find an affinity

with both

Dreamers dream

as nightmares haunt,

infiltrating a native stoicism

in us

Beggars beg

while rich men profit

insinuating a sense of fatalism

in us

Brave is brave

as scared is scared,

yet we can always find an affinity

with both

Day is day

as night is night;

in-between, a twilight

always playing tug-of-war

with us

Copyright R. N. Taber 2017; 2020