Do not read a book
or watch a show
about people
you do not know.

Do not go anywhere,
or engage
with strangers
of any age.

Do not face
those in pain
or see suffering
which
you might
be able to
relate to.

Do not let
blurry stereo-types
come under scrutiny
and see the unknown
loose its fuzziness.

Do not look into
a parent’s eyes
as she watches
her child fade,
preparing herself
for an instance
in which she wishes
she could trade places.

Do not look
at a child who is hungry
when you have
more than you need.

Why would you want
an inch of
human decency?

For heaven sake
avoid empathy
at all cost.