listen to what people don’t say

hear in their breathing the ache

that they carry

(hallowed rattle in the lungs)

the sound of the words getting stuck

in their bones —

shipwrecked on the edge of their ribs

listen close to the pauses

and silence

(hear in their throats the heaviness)

see the light in their eyes

attempt to convey

all the things they can’t say

but long to

listen close, listen deep

hear the prayers in their sleep

in the breath they exhale

(in frustration, in panic)

hear the hate and the hope

and the fear and the love

listen...

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