Reconciliation

In recent years, 
That word has become one
Associated only with budgets,
Notably the compromise – 
Or lack of it – in passing our
Federal budgets. 
Reconciliation has come
To represent either one side
Getting everything they want
And the other (and often the
American people) getting
Nothing,
Or both sides ending up
Dissatisfied.
More often, reconciliation
Represents kicking the 
Problems down the road.

Today I considered the word,
Reconciliation,
In another way,
A way that left me feeling
Very uncomfortable.
Biblically, we are supposed 
To commit to reconciliation:
To God and to each other.
That sounds good…
On the surface.
Not so easy to practice.

These thoughts brought to mind
A one-time friend.
Actually, a several times friend.
We met about fifty years ago,
Were friends, then not speaking,
Reconciled, then fell out,
Back and forth,
Friends then not.
The most recent schism
Came over our political beliefs.
So far apart, and yet
Through the years, 
We saw each other 
Through so much.
Could I do it?
I decided I could,
I just needed to decide
How to reach out.
I decided to catch up 
On what was happening
In her life and went to
Her Facebook page.
Scrolling down…
Most posts fine and then,
A photo of that guy and a
Taunting remark to those
Who oppose him.
Take a deep breath,
Scroll some more…
Religious posts, sayings
I can agree with…
“Get Islam out of America.”
No, not that one.
Why? Why so much hate?
And yet I remember those
Better times,
When we agreed,
And laughed.

To reconcile or
Not to reconcile?
Can I forgive and move on
Knowing that someone
Hates those I love?
Is this one of those situations,
Just like in the budget talks,
Where no one is quite
Satisfied?
How did we become
A nation so divided,
With such different views?
Why is life so difficult?
Why can’t we just get along
And not have to deal with
Beliefs so far apart?
We can’t even agree
On a one-to-one basis:
Do I just kick this idea
Down the road?