Effort Is Not Evil

I have tried
tried to be respectful
tried to hold
my hands in my pockets
my words in my mind
my desire in my heart
and you would say
that the trying is the problem

you would direct me to ride
on the tide of the universe
learn to accept
what you will teach me
give me an example
to follow into a larger world

but every look you give me
is filled with conflict
you avoid me, shake your head
walk on by
leave before I can enter
manage to miss
any resolving confrontation

you accuse me
by word, deed and look
of things I have not done
motives I have not felt
truths that can’t be denied
but are not fully realized

effort is not evil
all conflict is not negative
and sometimes you can change
things you do not like