I Am the Listener
A poem to wind down the day
The power of listening cannot be overstated. Listen twice, speak once...
I am the listener
When the white noise hisses, And night clutches you tightly But sandman is stayed, unable to Do his work.
I am the listener.
When you babble of woes of the day Wrongs that went un-righted And slights back to haunt Your restless mind,
I am the listener.
To embrace, to kiss away tears To hold your anger gently — Offering not solutions but To hear your grievances.
I am the listener.
When sadness weighs too much And you feel alone in a cold universe Drifting further from me And the sweet release of sleep,
I am the listener.
Calling to you in tired mumbles Whispered “I love you's,” Small caresses, warm embraces, I affirm and acknowledge.
I am the speaker.
Telling you some silly story, Anecdotes of light and laughter, Reading prose, Offering prayers.
Ah! Then it comes: A beautiful soul Captured by sleep, Set adrift, free.
And I—
Happy to be the listener.
