The Comedian Principle

One thing I learned
A long time ago
Is that I can’t tease people
I don’t like,
And the more I like them,
The more fun I will have
Teasing them.
Anytime I try to tease
Someone whom I don’t
Like or respect,
It comes across as ugly
And disrespectful,
And there is no justification
For acting that way
Towards anybody.
If I don’t like somebody
For whatever reason,
I just stay away from them
Or ignore them altogether.
I imagine any good comedian
Would tell me
That I must
Love my audience
Or my performance
Is doomed from the start.
Whether I am on stage
Or simply joking with a friend,
The Comedian Principle applies.