Misinterpretation

A word, a gesture or a shrug
Can be misunderstood
And trying to explain intent
Most often does no good.

For those insulted want to see
What they expect is meant;
And if that context isn’t there,
They cannot be content.

To justify the way they feel,
Their misinterpretation
Becomes so real to them they need
No further confirmation.

It’s useless, then, to clarify
The essence you intended,
For in their wounded state you can’t
Assuage the ones offended.

It blows my mind how words can be
Destroyed with just a twist,
‘Cause explanations can’t undo
Assumptions that persist.