Understanding Is Only Misunderstanding Poem by Bashyam Narayanan

When you say
“I understand”
You simply confess
That you are only trying
To understand
And you affirm
To guard against
Misunderstanding

Though this may not be true
In a technical discussion
This is always true
When attempts are made
To evaluate issues
Pertaining to minds and emotions

Let us admit
We have not understood
Any one and
Any of the thought processes
Associated with any individual

How many of us
Have understood our parents?

How many of us
Have understood our spouses?

How many of us
Have understood our brothers
And sisters?

How many of us
Have understood our sons
And daughters?

How many of us
Have understood our customers,
Employers and employees
Bosses and sub-ordinates

More you are confident
About these understandings
More likely
You have misunderstood them

Do not ever claim
That you have
Understood others
As you now understand
That
Understanding is only
Misunderstanding