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Li..... Li.... Listening

by Carl Walker

Listening, listening

I find so hard to do

I'd much rather be speaking

than listening to you

a guy came to see me

a man under stress

he needed me (or anyone) to listen

so I tried my best

he recounted his woes

and a train of events

words that were said

and numerous offense

he talked and he talked

I watched what I saw

I got something new

.....a lesson

........ a blessing

for me........

and....

maybe for you

he talked and he talked

and then with a start

he'd talked too long

and given no part

no part to me

no part to thinking

he feared he was rambling

and his manners were stinking

"I'm rambling", said he

an apology in mumble

as if his long talking

would cause me to grumble

well, sez me, with a gleam in my eye

I'm listening, you're talking

don't miss what I hear

the way that you're thinking

doesn't happen

if it's only

....... your ear

there is a dialogue you've come too

unlike when alone

so ramble on friend

I won't turn to stone

he surprised me he did

with that small excuse

he cranked up his mouth

and he really let loose

he talked and he reasoned

he argued with him

i liked what I heard

building within

i liked what I heard

and the thoughts that were framing

a solution approaching

and emotions were taming

the guy made some choices

about what he should do

some mistakes that he'd made

and what he'd done true

the guy solved his problem

his soul, it felt free

man,

the dude solved his problem

but the credit

He gave

to

me

!

01/15/2003

Author's Note: thanks especially to Quentin S Clingerman for pointing out some typo's in the "uncorrected version" thanks Que

Posted on 01/15/2003
Copyright © 2025 Carl Walker

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Anne Engelen on 01/15/03 at 05:53 PM

Truly like this one Mike. It's so true that if someone gives you the opportunity to talk and listens, and let you listen to yourself, you often or sometimes finally will see what to do. Like you said the answer or the solution is often hidden within. Good one Mike!!

Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 01/17/03 at 08:47 PM

With a touch of humor you've written a lot of wisdom in this vignette. (You may wish to reread for a couple or three grammatical errors. Are you listening? LOL! ;))

Posted by Kate Demeree on 01/19/03 at 03:59 PM

I stumbled on this... after seeing you onsite, I think I will stumble on a few more of your poems, for they are like reading an open heart.

Posted by Susan Q Tomas on 06/15/03 at 01:49 AM

You were acting as the arms, legs, hands, and EARS of God. I wish I could master the art of listening like that. I am trying.

Posted by Cole Miller on 11/22/03 at 02:21 AM

this is a really cute story, and it flows really well.

Posted by Mike Loftis on 09/13/04 at 02:02 AM

Great Read Carl. I'm glad you pointed this one out.

Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 02/09/05 at 10:57 PM

brilliant advice and beautifully ironic... blessings...

Posted by Uriel Tovar on 10/10/05 at 09:32 PM

i'd work on tightening up the meter

Posted by Delilah Coyne on 03/21/06 at 10:10 PM

I like the message presented here. Often, just having someone listens makes us feel like we've solved something.

Posted by Mo Couts on 06/18/11 at 05:35 AM

Funny AND to the point--superb!

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