on being heard
the aggravating feeling of being patted
on the head and told “there, there”
to a chorus of platitudes or pitying stare that assumes i am being hysterical
not only does not help but also
frustrates, humiliates and gets nowhere
the compelling feeling of being heard
having someone listen carefully enough
to begin testing for the consequences
of my assertions, not to prove me wrong
but in an effort to determine the cause
raises the promise of help
in finding a solution