Balance

How much should you care

for others and yourself?

In hope and despair

when you need a little help?

Is it like a reflection?

The same image on either side

Is it more like a scale

with no extra weight to hide?

If you have a hurt buried

can you make it disappear?

To save yourself from worry

doubt and fear?

How much should you listen

to what people say?

Insults and accusations

in seriousness and play.

This complex question

is not a simple thought.

It comes with perspective

and what has been taught

to survive such matters

from person to person.

Some you can trust

and others you can't be certain:

Who will protect 

and who will harm,

Who's hiding their pain

with bright smiles and charm.

Who is true

and who is a lie?

Who will hurt you

no matter what you try?

These answers are not easy

and all must be learned

through experience of pain

and trust to be earned.

But the balance between

who is selfish or not

comes from judgement within

and knowledge that's sought.