Judgement Fades With Time

in richmond, virginia, my youth was a mix of stories,
where tree-lined streets echoed with laughter and life,
filled with the scent of magnolia on warm summer days,
and the river sparkled under the golden sun.
i remember the lively festivals by the riverbank,
the sound of music drifting into the evening air,
where the energy of youth made the world seem bright,
and judgment flowed easily, like water in a stream.
in those days, we labeled each other,
boxing friends into neat little categories,
the boy with wild hair,
the girl with dreams painted in bright colors.
how quick we were to throw stones with our words,
believing we were strong, invincible;
the world seemed clear-cut—a game we played,
with winners and losers, right and wrong,
never thinking about the struggles hidden below the surface.
now, many years later, i find myself in murrieta, california,
where the sun paints the hills in shades of gold,
and the landscape sings a different song,
but the echoes of my past remain, familiar yet haunting.
in this town, i face life's complexities anew,
seeking to understand the meanings of judgment,
as the whispers of my virginia childhood blend with the present,
creating a rich mix of experience and wisdom.
the lessons learned among richmond’s streets
guide me as i walk the sunlit paths of murrieta.
i remember how easily we criticized the man
struggling with his groceries,
the woman lost in thought at a busy café.
now, living among the friendly faces here,
i see the same patterns emerge;
it's troubling how quickly we judge,
to toss out labels and slights without thinking,
oblivious to the stories and struggles that lie beneath.
in my youth, i would have scolded the man,
the woman too wrapped up in her own world.
but now, here in murrieta,
i know that every glance, every thought,
is shaped by our unique histories.
from the lively streets of richmond to the warm neighborhoods here,
i realize how the world opens up as we grow older.
in the twilight of our understanding, we learn to forgive,
to embrace the different paths we all walk,
finding comfort in our shared humanity.
the ups and downs of life hold lessons,
each moment filled with experience and feeling,
reminding us that every person carries their own tale,
lost in their own worries and hopes.
in murrieta, where the golden hills touch the sky,
i see a community full of life, diverse,
yet grappling with echoes of judgment.
the call for justice and inclusion screams for attention,
but often divides instead of binding us,
creating a gap where there should be understanding.
the lessons of my past linger,
seeking a depth that brings us together,
not tears us apart.
the ideas that stress identity over individuals
only serve to break the bonds of community,
while the echoes of my youth remind me
of the beauty in diversity
when seen through the lens of shared lives.
each day, as the sun sinks below the murrieta hills,
i ponder my journey,
the strength i found in richmond,
the wisdom gained in embracing differences.
life twists and turns;
the shadows i cast in my youth
have softened with the warmth of experience,
and now i walk these paths with clear eyes,
guided by compassion, kindness,
and a longing for talks that unite us.
let us celebrate growing older,
where judgment fades into understanding,
and with each sunset over these golden hills,
we lift our voices toward acceptance.
in our shared humanity lies the chance for connection,
may we find a way forward that honors every story,
illuminating the lives that bind us all.