Could we draw aside the curtains <br />That surround each other’s lives, <br />See the naked heart and spirit, <br />Know what spur the action gives- <br /> <br />Often we would find it better, <br />Purer than we judge we would; <br />We would love each other better <br />If we only understood. <br /> <br />Could we judge all deeds by motives, <br />See the good and bad within, <br />Often we would love the sinner <br />All the while we loathe the sin. <br /> <br />Could we know the powers working <br />To overthrow integrity, <br />We would judge each other’s errors <br />With more patient charity. <br /> <br />If we knew the cares and trials, <br />Knew the efforts all in vain, <br />And the bitter disappointments- <br />Understood the loss and gain- <br /> <br />Would the grim external roughness <br />Seem, I wonder, just the same? <br />Would we help where we now hinder? <br />Would we pity where we blame? <br /> <br />Ah, we judge each other harshly, <br />Knowing not life’s hidden force; <br />Knowing not the fount of action <br />Is less turbid at it’s source. <br /> <br />Seeing not amid the veil <br />All the golden grains of good, <br />Oh, we’d love each other better <br />If we only understood. <br /> <br />© S.E.S<br /><br />Sara Stowell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if-we-only-understood/
