Beyond mere respect and honour,

What do we owe to each other?

Word, act, and stifled laughter?

Even when they don’t really matter?

Is good intent enough? Beneficence?

Or is thought worthless without substance?

I ask because I’m stuck still:

paralyzed ethically. At least until

I know what we owe to each other

And when and where I should bother.

Yet…

Mayhap my sin

is that I dare

to ask and ask,

Would this be fair?

When always you

Would only ask

"Are you at peace

My truest pleasure?"