Teasing, as old as

Upright peoples perhaps

Before we knew

What it was

We were involved

In banter.

Sometimes

We call it free speech.

Often an excuse for

Exclusion or dehumanizing

Others who are

Somehow different.

Quickly it becomes

A cloak for venom, spite

A subterfuge

For the small minded

Whose egos

Need propping.

“Only kidding”

Exposes

The shallowness

Of bullies

Rascals and ruffians

 

 

If done with love

There be no hurt.

“First, do no harm”

And if harm

We must

Let us do it with love

And all the knowledge

We can muster.