the sales job

Too many people

think persuasion is an art
of creating appeal
around a set of points, and selling them
to the other side.

True, lasting agreement doesn't come
from a sales job. In my mind: persuasion
is rooted in taking the truth down
to its hardest core, not side
vs. side, but seeing the circle
within which both sets of feet
are already planted. Stand

there

and realize where within that wide
and shared property, the common interest lies.
And just put it
down.

thunk

If you're right
about the truth, and not lying
- and if
you've done a good job
stripping it, people on sides
(any, every)
will have a very hard time to gainsay it. And it
will not be your voice,
or your reasons
that compel,

but the truth itself.