Carrie Richards Poet Didactic

Do You Listen

When you woke them up, at the crack of dawn
Did you smile at them today?
Did you pour a cup, with cream and love
Then send them on their way?

Did you drive with ease, 
Not honk and squeeze
On the road to work today?

Did you offer space, in your place in line
at the crowded store today?
Did you keep your grace, when the others raced
To crowd in front of you?

Quite often through our day
We will say the worn out line
"How are you, today?"
While, they answer ..."I am fine."

But do we really listen
With a heart that opens wide?
For a heart may need some tending,
behind a lonely mask of pride

Next time you ask this question
Just watch before you start
Their eyes may be revealing
So listen with your heart


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12/7/14  For Regina Riddle's Contest "Didactic"

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John Lawless December 11, 2014 at 6:43 PM Carrie, when people ask "how are you" I often want to reply, "buy me a cup of coffee and I'll tell you." Very nice

Dr.Ram Mehta December 8, 2014 at 8:17 PM Wonderful way to advise, congrats on he win,

Roy Jerden December 8, 2014 at 5:37 PM Words of wisdom for sure. An area I definitely need to improve in. These are the kinds of poems I like! Congratulations on your 1st place win!

D.W. Rodgers December 8, 2014 at 3:56 PM Congrats on your win. My normal response to "How are you?' is "I can't complain," to which I could continue "When I do complain, they never listen, and if they listen there's nothing they can do about it anyway........" but I refrain as I don't want to be considered as the irascible old fart I am. Polite conventions, and often times that is enough.

Kayod5 Kayode December 8, 2014 at 2:24 PM Congratulation Carrie on the win and thank you for this priceless lecture..huggs

David Meade December 8, 2014 at 1:23 PM Wise are your words and wiser we will be if we follow your message! Heart Listener!! I like it.

Eileen Manassian December 8, 2014 at 11:04 AM Oh Carrie!!! What a superb write. Going in my favs. This is sheer beauty! Oh...that I would do all that you have admonished me to do in this poem. If we all did...what a lovely world this would be to live in. Thank you for sharing this beauty. I was stumped for this contest...and didn't give it a go...I can see why you won the place you did. Can you hear my applause all the way from Lebanon? Hugs

Regina Mcintosh December 8, 2014 at 9:24 AM I REALLY LOVE THIS!!! Sorry for shouting :) Just wanted to be heard :) Thank you for entering the contest. I have the results posted in a blog, too, if you wanted to see it. THANK YOU!! God bless you with love and prayers, Gina

Sandra Haight December 8, 2014 at 9:21 AM Hi Carrie, wonderful advice to remember and so nicely written! Congratulations on your First Place win! Hugs, Sandra

Brenda Meier-Hans December 8, 2014 at 8:30 AM Dropping back with my congratulations Carrie, for your top of the podium win.

Jan Allison December 8, 2014 at 7:50 AM wonderful wise words - many congrats Carrie:-) hugs Jan xx

Dr. Upma A. Sharma December 8, 2014 at 7:47 AM As awesome as always Carrie! Congrats on top place win!

Monterey Sirak December 8, 2014 at 7:37 AM Oh this is wonderful! A great message for the Christmas season and for anytime.

Maurice Yvonne December 8, 2014 at 6:29 AM Excellent as always. Congratulations on your first place win at the very top of the list.

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser December 8, 2014 at 3:18 AM delicate realistic and heartmelting lines which is both thought provoking and somewhat pricks the heart.. :)! BIG CONGRATULATIONS CARRIE!

Rob Carmack December 8, 2014 at 1:27 AM Congrats on taking first.

Brenda Meier-Hans December 7, 2014 at 10:43 PM Great advice Carrie. Sometimes we just go through the emotions of life, not really living it.

Charmaine Chircop December 7, 2014 at 10:02 PM Sigh!!Your poem grabs my heart ,soul and mind..It stirs them together..So I can absorb the message in a deep way.How nice to be able to really listen and care for the other .So precious such words my dear,lovely as you my dear.