Sophistication Isn’t Always Sophisticated

Here’s the thing:

Sophistication isn’t always sophisticated.

It tends to be relative.

What’s sophisticated to one person

Isn’t to another

And you will never really know

Because we don’t tend to care 

About such distinctions.

We think they don’t matter

But they do.

So,

Having a conversation with someone 

Or any kind of relationship 

Is trying to figure out

How sophisticated they are,

Both in the needs of the moment

And what that relationship is.

You can be a jerk

And assume

Even when it isn’t true

That naturally you’re the one

Who’s more sophisticated 

(Although the assumption alone

Kind of proves otherwise)

Or you can choose to be better.

When you know

With absolutely certainty 

That you are more sophisticated 

Then the onus becomes

Responsibility.

You have to accept

That they are less sophisticated.

You can still think

In your head

How stupid they are,

But tact suggests 

You don’t say so

Aloud.

Or you can try

And try

And try

To help them grow,

Even if the results

Never show,

Because sometimes 

That’s just how it’s going to be.

Or you can simply accept

That this is how things work.

And move on.