Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

I Do Not Listen

I do not listen because my heart hurts when I hear the sad, and the mean.
And I get way too loud when I hear the happy.  Sad, angry people frown at
My giant head-throwing witch cackling laugh. It hurts them.

I do not listen because it is better for my tender empathetic soul not to hear
What might make me feel bad all day long.  However, people think I am listening,
Because I am the great pretender.

My head is nodding in all the right places, giving these people my comfort eyes, 
As I am expertly not listening, fooling them, so I can retain the part of myself
that desperately needs to retain hope, joy, innocence, and optimism.

Uh-oh.  Something has gone terribly wrong.
 I am shaken into active listening, as I can tell by the person’s face 
that they are not spewing out drama, or one-upping
Stories, just to be talking.   I start to listen, learning who I need to help today.

My only talent, is being a maestro at knowing when and how to listen.

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Rhona Mcferran November 20, 2018 at 6:38 PM I thought I was the only one!! People wonder how I can listen all day long and not be utterly dragged to the ground... but this is actually it- the skill of when to listen with all your heart, and when to let it roll over your head! ;) Well said, my soul-sister! (and a FAV!) Caren Krutsinger November 21, 2018 at 5:30 AM Thank you Rhona. You always relate to me and my poetry in such a soul-way.