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
Empathetic listening…we all need it!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, Pallavi. I too feel it is the need of the hour.
LikeLike
I look at him unseeingly
gazing at the distant horizon
letting present opportunities slip by.
This feels like a great opening line for a story.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Maybe you can continue from there. I suck at writing stories. 😀
Thanks, Satyen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome.
Well I lack the temperament. But I certainly want to write stories one day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was where my mind went. Appreciate your insight. You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. ❤️
I had noticed there was a glitch so had rescheduled. Thanks for letting me know. 😂🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome Punam♥️
😂No problem:))
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully written Punam. Your heart always speaks to mine. I hope you know that.
I need to find it in myself
to help him and self.
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gabriela, your beautiful heart is an empathetic listener. Thank you so much, sweetheart, for your beautiful compliment. ❤️🤗🌷
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Punam. Your wonderful poems always speak to me 🤗💕🌸🌹❤️
LikeLike
Beautiful writing Punam. Thanks for joining in the challenge
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Sadje and it is always a pleasure. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially liked the beginning
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks a lot.
LikeLike
Loved the message at the end Punam….we all need to calm our inner selves to help us and reach out to others. Absolutely beautiful ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
So we do, Radhika. Thank you so much, my dear. ❤️
LikeLike
Its beautiful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Smitha.
LikeLike
A stunning piece, Punam! And your last stanza a plea for hope. Thank you for joining in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your generous appreciation, Eugenia. Always a pleasure to participate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the use of calm oasis.. beautifully written .. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. 😊❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We are defined by our words and actions, Val. And let’s hope our heart never beats without loving! Thank you so much for your insight.
LikeLike
absolutely love this sis, exactly how I feel when I see his sad lost eyes …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That balance of helping another as well as self spoke to me. Beautifully written
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Jude. We need to strike that balance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent poem, Punam. Another one that resonates with me. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Tracy. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Punam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Mich …if only…
Thanks a lot, my friend!❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s to calming breaths, focussed minds and open hearts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That really spoke to me, Punam. Lovely, inciteful words 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am touched it did. Thank you so much, Chris. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
One need to awaken empathetic listening to help others.
Brilliant! ✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I think that is the key to peaceful coexistence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly what I thought.
You’re welcome. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant writing Punam..👌👌😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank so much, dear Sarika. ❤️😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome dear 💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need to reawaken how we use our intuition, insight and empathy. Excellent 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! Thanks so much, Jules. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person