The Difference Between Oil and Salt

--thanks to Dale for provoking the thought

A glass of water asked for sympathy
from a bottle of oil.
“You can use me to dress wounds,”
said the oil. “But sympathy?
Forget it. We won’t mix.”

A glass of water asked for sympathy
from a tin of salt.
It dived right in and dissolved
and turned the water to healing tears.
And when the water had all been spilled,
it evaporated
and restored the salt to itself.

The difference between oil and salt
is the difference between distance
and unattachment.

The Difference Between Oil and Salt, II

A glass of water asked for sympathy
from oil in a bottle. “You can use
me to dress wounds,” the oil said. “But see—
we cannot mix. It’s not that I refuse,
it’s not my nature. My integrity’s
maintained by distance.” Nearby, from a tin
the salt spoke up. “Come, I will give you ease.”
The fast-dissolving solid, crystalline
turned plain tap-water into holy tears.
Destroyed? The salt was only rearranged.
The water slowly dried, its griefs and fears
all soothed, and left the solid salt unchanged.
Oil keeps its distance, knows it’s overmatched:
compassion’s stronger in a heart that’s unattached.

If you like poetry, check out the weekly prompt site at Totally Optional Prompts