"Ations" by Shel Silverstein

If we meet and I say, “Hi,”
That’s a salutation.

If you ask me how I feel,
That’s consideration.

If we stop and talk a while,
That’s a conversation.

If we understand each other,
That’s communication.

If we argue, scream and fight,
That’s an altercation.

If later we appologize,
That’s reconciliation.

If we help each other home,
That’s cooperation.

And all these actions added up
Make Civilization.



(And if I say this is a wonderful poem,
Is that exageration?)