Non-listening Skills

[William Burt]

Non-listening Skills

When normal people get angry and shout,
They’re being assertive - of that there’s no doubt.
But when we get trouble from people like you,
It’s because you’re depressed or a little bit blue.

You really should think in a different way,
Then all your troubles would melt right away,
Then come to our meeting - we’ve got one next week,
And an interesting person is going to speak.

We’ll hear all your views and write them all down,
And send them to people all over the town,
And then hold a workshop, compile a report,
A volume of poetry and things of that sort.

You should be grateful for all that we do,
We know what you want even better than you,
So don’t be awkward - you know that we care,
And that your complaining is so much hot air.

We hear what you’re saying - we really do care,
For people like you who are not quite all there,
So swallow your pride - it’s quite your worst vice,
And then you’ll find that everything’s nice.

© 2001 William Burt

[Pat born a Burt]

I really like your poem William, especially the line
'We know what you want even better than you,'
Thank you so much for sharing it.
Pat

Judge Ye Gently

Pray you don't find fault with the man who limps or stumbles on the road, unless you have worn the shoes he wears, or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, though hidden from your view, or the burden he bears, placed on your back, may cause you to falter too.

Don’t sneer at the man who’s down today unless you have felt the blow, that caused his fall. Or felt the shame that only the fallen know!

You may be strong, but if the blows that were his, were dealt to you, in the self same way, in the self same time, you could have staggered too.

Don’t be too harsh on the man who sins, or pelt him with words of stone, unless you are sure, … yes, doubly sure, that you have no sins of your own.

For you know perhaps, that the tempter’s voice could also call to you, as it did to him when he went astray …. It could cause you to falter too.

Brian (D wing Grendon)