If you know someone who is suffering alone

And calls you to tell you their grief;

Don’t criticize or say you are busy,

Give them relief,

Just listen!

Let them tell you their story and get it all out;

Even if you’ve heard it before.

When someone is suffering,

they need you to care

So, open your heart,

Just listen!

As people get older, they seem to repeat,

and say the same things all the time.

If it makes no sense or has no reason or rhyme,

Be a good person,

Just listen!

There may come a day when you’ll be in those shoes

And pray for someone to talk to;

I’m sure you will wish that they take the time

And will sit down with you, and

Just listen!

Shirley Binkley

Cedar View Apartments

shirleybentzbinkley@gmail.com