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