Judgments

Content of character
Color of skin
Tips of icebergs
Promises believed and promises brokered

Of brothership’s union
unbroken bonds of silent vows
through lifetimes independently passing
like the leaves of autumn

Ships on seas
Satellites in orbits
and strangers on busy city streets

All of this falling somewhere between
Strikingly random occurrences and
The sun’s daily rise
Lives intersected tar-to-feather

It starts with curiosity and awe
and grows into respect and love
Mutually beneficial partnerships
A lifetime memoranda of understanding