POEMS

                            ARE WE LISTENING?

 Are we listening instead of only hearing:

The incessant chatter of a child, or do we tune it out as inconsequential

For the teenage cry of help or are we too preoccupied with problems of our own

To our partner's troubles, which are saying, life is difficult or do we busily plan our own list of grievances

To the words a friend is not saying ­or do we fail to reach out a helping hand

To the joyous song of a bird at dawn ­or do we miss the promise of a bright new day

For the voice of our inner being or do we deny the truth it alone knows

Are we listening or just merely hearing?

By Wendy Punter