Have You Tried Listening? Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Being aware and observant,
Of one's own environment...
Has its dividends and mental benefits.
With less questions needing to be answered,
When an active listening begins...
To commence a comprehension that connects,
Understanding that affects an effective communication.
Yet...
So many are left with wishes to be heard,
But refuse to use their ears to hear one word...
From someone waiting for their mouths to close,
To at least be given an opportunity to respond.
And these are the people accused of being quiet.
With expressing little interest in what is being shared.

'I tried to have a conversation the other day.
You know...
To open up the lines of communication?
And I did all the talking.'

~You're kidding?
I find that hard to believe.
And I bet you both have common interests too.
Like those who have that in common do.~

'I don't remember.
That was never brought to my attention.
At least none that I remembered mentioned.'

~Some people just don't know,
What communication means or how it's done.
Or even its importance when having conversation,
To make what's being communicated more effective.~

'Aint that the truth.'

~Have you tried listening? ~

'To what? '