Respect is not just
some casual word you say,
as if that makes the word
magically come to life,
like in a children’s fairy tale.
Respect is shown in
actions that are not loud
but always clear
to the person being
given this most
precious of gifts.
Perhaps it is the case
that the giving of respect
is the highest giving,
greater even than love,
for it is about seeing
the transformative value
of one being’s offer to another,
and recognising its place
in a person’s creation.
29/3/2017