Noel Stallard OAM

We might hear but do we listen, really listen, comprehend
what a person might be saying when they speak with us their friend?
Do we listen, really listen not just only to the word
but detect the true emotion that’s behind what we have heard?
For degrees of joy or anguish will accompany what’s expressed,
they deserve our full attention, for it’s us they have addressed.

Are we hearing, really hearing with our head as well as heart,
for to friends it is important that we grasp what they impart.
We are privileged to be listeners to what friends agree to share
For when people choose to speak with us we should be well aware
that we’re privy to their inner thoughts, their joy or their furore,
so we give our full attention, our respect and our rapport.

There’s a danger, with the pace of life, our minds are other where
and our concentration wanders from the friend who wants to share.
Or our egos interrupt with our infallible advice
that we think will solve all problems and give answers in a trice.
For it’s not so much a hearing aid but hearing hearts we need,
as we listen, fully focused, on the words we need to heed.

Do we listen, really listen when a grandson says, “See this”,
as he shows his latest drawing saying, “That’s my little sis?”
When dementured friends are rambling are we ones who interject
or perhaps we pay attention, try to give them true respect.
For our friends they should feel valued, feel accepted, feel worth-while.
And they will if we’re assiduous and listen with a smile.

There’s no doubt that most of what we hear is not of great import
but our role is more supportive of the person not the thought.
For there’ll be a time when friends feel burdened, hurting, feeling small,
and it’s then these friends will turn to us because they will recall
that when previously they spoke with us we really did connect,
and we listened, really listened for we gave them due respect.