Help

~ paeansunplugged

He watches me bewildered and lost
his mournful eyes downwards cast
I look at him unseeingly
gazing at the distant horizon
letting present opportunities slip by.

I hear his plaintive, pitiful whimpers
but am unable to listen
lost in the turmoil raging within
the roar of turbulence deafening me.

August dog days compound the problem
I need to create a quiet, calm oasis inside
to focus on all that I see
and awaken empathetic listening
I need to find it in myself
to help him and self.

What do you see # 41 – 3 August 2020

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #107: listen

Eugi’s Weekly Prompt “August” August 3, 2020

59 thoughts on “Help”

  3. Clever that you followed the poem with the photo as it has a wider application – I was thinking of the homeless, children being maltreated – measuring how much we are able to help is a mature response.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks, V.J. I didn’t want to restrict the poem to the pic though it was written for the prompt.
      Homeless kids were on my mind as I wrote this because there was an article in the newspaper about the hardships faced by the kids begging at traffic signals and how lockdown has affected them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. So touching Punam!! I love this♥️♥️

    PS- I wasn’t able to comment earlier, but now I can….I mentioned that on the comment section in my post….but now you can ignore that 😅

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Eyes that look without seeing and ears that hear without listening… As long as it doesn’t creep upward and become hearts that beat without loving! We are defined by words and actions – what we do and what we fail to do. Love the message of this poem!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  16. awaken empathetic listening
    I need to find it in myself
    to help him and self….this is epic Punam..if only we find a place in our hearts to practice this..

    Brilliant as always with a heart and soul

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Pingback: Sharing responses to this week’s challenge, WDYS # 41 from; Jen, Dakshali, Punam and Anisha – Keep it alive

  18. Gosh, Punam – this one really hit me. My mind has been going a million miles in different directions but you’re right – a quiet mind is better to focus, to figure out to help myself and others. Your writing is always brilliant, but this one has an extra shine!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Irma, your words of appreciation brighten my morn! I am trying to quieten my mind too ( unsuccessfully though). Too many thoughts invading the mind space. I hope both of us can focus on the necessary and shut out the chatter and clutter.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yes, that seems to be a message the world is sending me today! I’ve had several people talk to me about staying focused and ignoring the noise. And not just doing it when I am sleeping! 😂 Here’s to calming breaths for us both this coming week!

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Pingback: “August” prompt participants – Keep it alive; My Remedy; paeansunpluggedblog; Cozy Quiet Corner – Eugi's Causerie I
  23. Pingback: Best Listener – One Woman's Quest II
  24. Pingback: What do you see # 41- A roundup – Keep it alive
  25. Pingback: Eugi’s Weekly Word Prompt – “Fairy” August 10, 2020 – Eugi's Causerie I

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