Stop, my child

Are you listening?

To new voices

sunrises

new ideas glistening

listen to their rhythm

their words and their fears

listen to their soft whispers

excitement and tears

listen to their worries

others may not

I fear

Quiet footsteps can be BOLD

are you listening?

Stop young lad

Are you listening?

To the words of those who are

hurting

Slapping anger

erupting in tears

Bullying differences

What is “different?”

Just fear

You’re trying to be

like everyone else

no standing out

ignoring those left out

Surrounded by rain

Why not just listen?

It could be your pain

If you had thought to speak out

Against hatred

You would have gained

The love that is now beginning to wane

Stand still my lad

And just listen

Stop

Look up

Just listen

Years have passed

I’ve lost track of my birthdays

some still glisten

Life’s gone by too fast

I know we are different

In many ways I feel last to

admit

I’ve been stuck in my ways

trying to tell you my story

Not my side nor your side

But our shared story

It’s okay to feel pride

when its not your

Glory

We listen, we cry, we triumph we fall

We may not agree on our values that’s all

But we can work on just listening in quiet without shame

Let’s have a conversation

Let’s give it a name

For a promise to deliver

my truth without shame

I promise to listen

To your truth

Will you do the same?

Stop for a second

Just listen

In later years

I start to listen

Because I could have learned something

From your side

And maybe it could have changed my understanding

My drive

My judgements and biases

Times where I thought I was wise

Now mountain peaks seem so steep as I climb

To new ideas and opinion and perspectives that could have been mine

If only I had just listened

Listened with your eyes

But it’s never too late

Is it?

I promise

I whisper to myself

I promise to be still

and to listen