"Testes vs. Estes"

(Turn phones horizontal to see stanzas correctly)

In the land of judging people, a land way up and high,

Lived the Estes and the Testes beneath the same bright sky.

Estes were the ladies with hearts so big and wide,

Testes were the fellows with strength upon on their side.

When the Estes look at Testes - oh my, what do they see?

They spot the rugged edges and think "what an ass is he."

A little bit more gentle and more caring would be nice,

Warm his hardened outer shell to melt away that ice.

The Estes feel so deeply, with an oxytocin glow,

They see every tear-drop and feel deeply every woe.

If a Teste acts all bossy or charges right on through,

The Estes cry, "He's callous, and he seems hurtful too!"

But in Testes judging Testes in their rowdy like parade,

"How strong are you my fellow, did you win or did you fade?"

With status going up for those direct and bold and brave,

The tough, the strong, the manly men will be the king of cave.

Aggression? Not a problem, it's all part of the game,

Where strength and status that's what counts, and winning is no shame.

Testes judging Testes - cool heads, not watery eyes,

Well reasoned and assessed, with all the other guys.

Now Testes eyeing Estes, I'll let you have a guess,

They grumble and they mumble, too soft, too much a mess.

They're teary and they're tricky, too round-about their way,

Just make a damned decision, then continue with your day.

Where Testes see the drama, The Estes, they see care,

"I can't believe they think like that, I'm pulling out my hair.

Too sensitive, too slow, Always feeling in the air!

Testosterone it whispers, "fix it - don't just sit and stare."

But Estes judging Estes - Now there's a sight to see!

At first they form a bond that's tight, as tight as tight can be.

But betrayals cut them deeply, like knives into the heart,

"No mercy for my sister, I'll tear that bond apart!"

They notice every nuance, every slight and every shrug,

"Why didn't you support me! You treat me like a thug."

"It's not your love I'm feeling, it's your judgments and they sting,

Why can't you be like Testes and shrug off these silly things?"

The Estes and the Testes, they walk a different maze,

Each sees the world we live in in completely different ways.

One lens cares for feelings, connections and for grace,

The other cares for systems and for winning in the race.

So in this land of judging, we all should take a peek,

Through each others goggles, to learn just how to speak.

Then when we see clearly, through our different focused lens,

It's then we'll look at others, and know we could be friends.

Yet high above the clamor, with eyes of tender flame,

Jesus watches each of us and calls us each by name.

"Step across the gap my child, speak truth in humble tone,

And find in every difference the seeds of love I've sown."

"Bear each other gently -- let My peace be richly given,

Love your neighbor as yourself and share your bit of heaven.

In Me there is no 'other'—I've bridged the great divide,

Help your fellow traveler to walk back to my side."

So let us heed His whisper, let judging voices cease,

And bridge the maze together in the bond of perfect peace.

Signed

John The-Not-So-Beloved