Listen for the hurt,
the broken dreams,
and the opportunities to heal them.
Listen for the fears,
the shame,
and the cue to hug them.
Listen not for the hate
that developed in a world
that rejected them,
embarrassed them,
cheated them,
and battered them.
Listen for the vulnerable one
they try desperately to hide.
Give them a reason to trust
and a safe place
to surrender their weapons.