Listen. Please just listen. Will you please?

I hear this almost everywhere I go, though not with my ears.

I hear it in people’s eyes. Eyes pleading for a compassionate listener.

Do you listen?

What do you hear when you see people these days?

Do you hear the fear?

Do you hear the heartache?

Do you hear the loneliness?

Or do you only hear the paper thin smile?

Listen please. Just listen will you — Please?

Words don’t listen.

Eyes do.