Listen

Everyone has a path to follow

A way to go

A future to aim for

We walk by ourselves

For ourselves

We bear our own burden

And keep it all

Behind fake smiles

And fake emotions

We hid a lot more inside

Than what we let on

We try to not let ourselves

Be bothered by others

Others’ comments and words

But all of that breaks us down

We will eventually wear

Ourselves out

Either before or after

We achieve our dreams

Many actors have suicided

Many singers have depression

Many people have to bear

With the weight of expectations

Packed schedules

And bills and debts

And when they snap

Anything is possible

massacres, suicides, insanity

But what no one realizes

Is that one cannot bear this on their own

So tell someone

Tell anyone

Someone trustworthy

Someone kind

Someone who will

Listen

Listen to you

Your problems

Your challenges

Your beliefs

Your secrets

We could all help each other

Comfort each other

Bear the burden together

If we could all just listen

Stop and listen

To those around you

Listen

Listen

To the screams of the abused housewives and children

The roar of the discriminated because of their race, gender, or sexuality

The tears of those whose friends and loved ones died to mass shooters

The murmur of workers who cannot make any money because of the government shut down

The bellow of immigrants shouting for passage into another country

The whisper of those who are hungry and are in poverty

Listen

To the sound

Of the Stoneman Douglas High school students grieving over dead peers and wishing the recovery of the wounded

Of all the broken people

Who only have their hope to cling to

Listen

Listen

And help them through their pain

And maybe

They’ll listen too

And help you through yours