Stop Look Listen

the things we don't say

are only met in number

by the things we don't hear

sometimes a whisper

is an inside shout

that's managed

struggled to sneak out

sometimes we rush

to respond

drafting our answers in our heads

don't realise

that's drowning out

the words

that are still being said

sometimes the courage

to say what we feel

disappears

afraid feelings will get hurt

so we stop being real

we hold our breath

bite our tongue

sometimes the silence

is just space where

our thoughts can meet

by looking

in each others' eyes

taking courage

and taking a beat

stop look listen

isn't

just

for

crossing

the

road

Wendy Bremner