No One's Listening

Why can't we all just be kind to each other?

Why do people have to claw and tear at one another,
shredding hearts and self esteem
pounding them into dust and splinters,
when even the tiniest glimmer of confidence is in view?

Why do we pride ourselves on our divisiveness and spite,
when love and compassion
are the things that actually improve the world?

One moment, we're happy we've got a community of friends,
the next, whoever is the odd one out
gets taunted and mocked for their view on the world.

And when you're the one plucked from your friends,
shown what it's like to be isolated
and laughed at,
told that what you experience doesn't matter
is invalid,
because it differs from the group,
you wonder why you even chose to leave your bed that morning,
if even your friends
have decided you're not worth listening to.