Empathy
like its sisters, gravity and light,
with us from eternity,
is subject to the rule
of inverse squares, such that
for every distance-unit its effect
is reduced by square,
with the added rule, that
Empathy turns into its opposite
after not too many miles,
begins to grow to hate, again in squares
for those we do not know
and are convinced
we do not want to know
ever.
But unlike the other rules
those of Empathy are made by man
and can be changed
by love and knowledge
along the edge of time.
Will Kirkland
September, 2012