Are you skimming my life as you would a book—
a book that is an obligation,
not a chosen read?
Are my anecdotes only conversation starters for your stories—
priming for your ego pump gone dry?
Or are you listening?
Truly?
Are my tears and tales only inspiration for your personal production,
played out complete with swelling music and desperate soliloquies?
Am I illusory, fodder for your dreams,
but empty of transcendent worth,
part of a script where you are the only star?
Are you listening?
Honestly?
I am your friend, your neighbor, your brushed by acquaintance.
I am your mother, your daughter, your doctor, your teacher.
I am your pastor, your co-worker, your husband, your stranger.
And I have stories to tell and a lived life to share,
but it feels like I am redundant, unnecessary to your narcissistic screenplay.
I need to be heard.
Are you listening to me?
Really?
2-6-12
wow! 🙂
Thanks for the wow. 🙂
Whew!!! I’m certainly listening!!!!
Everyone has a story . . .
Great post and even better reminder of the difference between hearing (skimming) an listening (really reading). Thank you! I needed that :).
PKC
Thanks so much!
Skimming? Reading? Then hit us with the photo.
A powerful way to remind us who to thank and who is responsible for it all. 🙂
🙂
What?
(which means, guilty as charged
As are we all . . .
Thank you for the reminder to truly listen to those around us!
Thanks for dropping by to listen! 🙂
Wow again! This is a soul-searching truth. ARE we listening — or just using people in our own jokes about foolishness?
May I quote you? I belong to the Christian Writers’ group His Imprint (hisimprint.wordpress.com) and we do an e-newsletter bimonthly. I’m just about to put the next issue together and I think people need to hear this question.
Absolutely, just keep authorship in tact just in case I ever get a million dollar contract! 🙂
Ah, and I see you are a fellow Canadian. 🙂
I like the name of your group. I wrote a song called “Imprint.” It is a great name for a writers’ group!
On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 7:51 AM, Lilly Green wrote:
> Ah, and I see you are a fellow Canadian. 🙂 > >
Thanks for such a nice comment. It just seems it is so easy with so much distraction to not really hear folks with whom we rub shoulders.
Yes, And thanks so much. I’ll be sure to give credit & write a short bio at the end.
Nice!
Reblogged this on Apronhead and commented:
Wanted to give this another airing . . .
I don’t say a lot, but I’m definitely listening!
I liked it before, and like it again. Really powerful post, thanks for reblogging it. It was good to be reminded about this again.
There is a lesson in your words perfectly conveyed. This was a “Wow” poem, very profound and a great reminder that listening is something we don’t always do best, but is very important. 🙂
Lauren
Reblogged this on LScott Poetry and commented:
A wonderful reminder so profoundly written~
Thanks!!
I’m listening! I’m listening! At least I’m listening to you and this reblogged post has a very biig message.
Thanks Lilly!
Thanks! We all need to stop sometimes and just breathe and remember to listen. We have had a couple of rumpuses in our neighborhood this week, and it just makes you wonder if these folks in such relational trouble have a voice and is it heard, or why are they acting out as they are. Crazy stuff!
I have been listening ever since you showed me the trick about sticking my head in my apron! Of course there are days my life gets so crazy (like today when I was locked out of my e-mail) and yesterday with the plumber here all day, when I can’t always stop by to listen ….but your life holds wisdom for me… many of the blogs I visit hold those one square inch of the elephant of truth… that I have grown to love and walk with you all down our paths as long as we’re going in the same direction…. Many thanks for sharing bits of you… I wouldn’t have been complete without them!
That is such an encouraging thing to say. Thank you for the dessert to my day! 🙂
Lovely one. Everyone needs to be heard…
Absolutely. I find myself rebelling at the vacuous “How are yous” that are meaningless. I crave for folks to be real and present. And I need to be that, too!
Very beautiful poem, with a wonderful message…it touched my spirit and also my heart! Thank you for the sweet blessing!
What a nice comment. Thanks.
Wow, that blew me over–and I’ve been on both sides. Excellent message, poem. God bless you–sis Caddo
Thank you! May we all listen a little bit more carefully to each other. 🙂
Unfortunately, we may find ourselves merely skimming our own lives at times.
True. Too much distraction.
Lauren I read your writings carefully. I look behind them for you. Imagining your life. I think about your experiences, your family life, your innermost thoughts. I know I am finding you and that is important to me. Each day you share bits and pieces of yourself with all who read your blog. Gracious, caring, poignant, wonderful words of wisdom. How fortunate I am to have you in my life. Virginia
Not sure who Lauren is 🙂 but Lilly thanks you. Such kind words.
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Reblogged this on Through The Lens and commented:
This is from a Friend’s blog (Thanks Lily) – her words speak for all of us.