You tell me how you ache.
I listen.
You talk of your children’s woes.
I listen.
You relate concerns about grandkids.
I listen.
You worry about work.
I listen.
You speak worries about finances.
I listen.
You gripe about how your car is falling apart.
I listen.
You complain about medical conditions.
I listen.
You worry about your parents.
I listen.
You ponder how to help your siblings.
I listen.
I listen because I care.
I listen because I want to support you.
I listen because, sometimes, it’s all you let me do,
(and even when I listen, you worry aloud that you’re
dumping and whining too much.)
I listen, still,
and I tell you it’s okay.
Now you tell me
that I don’t listen to you?
That I’m only talking about me?
IF I’m not listening to YOU,
who are you talking to?
And who do I hear when
I listen.