These Hungry Ears Poem by Nellie Isabelle Steward Cooper

There is an opposite
Of love
That is unlove

Not hate

That's absent from
the scene
Not present as hate
is

Watching

Intent

Noticing

Hate at least is there
forever vigilant

Maybe better for some
than this beast of uncaring

That mildly and insipidly answers
here when gone

And yes
without a thought

Yes indeed, there is an opposite
of love

That is not hate

That turns away from
the stray words and last thought

And on the budding dream
abstractedly closes the door

Gleefully perusing something else
closer and dearer....

But it will not say to hungry ears
a thought out no, nor contemplative perhaps,
or any such tiny tidbit

That would so please and delight
these hungry ears....