Better

I just met one of my neighbours, who is a little feared for his outbursts. However, talking to him, he's just this shy, awkward person (even more awkward than me). I didn't feel better than him, just felt sorry because I saw myself in him. But often, this is not the case, often I do size people up, and the poem below is a sort of public confession, my version of the traditional confession ritual.

Look at that teen

puffing away, like some James Dean --

you're better than him

or that homeless person

sorting through trash

why, he could build roads

and earn some proper cash

and that girl over there,

waiting for the bus

you eyed her up,

you've got the one up

and that person staring at you

who does he think he is?

better than you?

no, you're the better one

that bank teller, babbling away

you switch off, you're on a higher level

or even your colleague at work

you know what's up, he hasn't a clue

your wife, your parents

they don't stand a chance

they don't know what

you've got in your mind

... so goes the poisonous voice

who just told everyone

the little things that make you

stupid, ugly, hateful -- put simply:

worse.

Come to think of it, maybe the greatest danger in this whole affair is reducing someone to some animated puppet. The alternative (perhaps) is to start seeing someone as intriguing, as someone who cannot be quickly assessed but behind whom there is an interesting story that you will never fully learn. I remember Alister McGrath saying that Christianity is different from other religions because it's not about ideology, it's about a personal relationship. So you never reach a dead-end, because you keep discovering. This claim may be refuted, extended to other religions, etc. etc. but nevertheless the thought behind it is interesting.