Listen by Hemlock

From all sides of the story,

From the lies to the truth,

In your grief and glory,

I will listen to you.

To those who quake, who twist, who turn.

Who fret, but cannot fear. 

To those who are outspoken, but never heard. 

Now if you speak, I will hear. 

Over the years, I have been listening;

To those on all sides.

I know both shouts and whispering.

Now I will speak my mind.

Listen, to the Child on the streets, because they loved another.

Listen, to the Sibling, who weeps for their dead brother.

Listen, to the Anxious, who quakes from fear unknown.

Listen, to an Ailing Bird, frozen chilled to the bone.

Listen, to a Woman, fighting for her place.

Listen, to a Young mind, getting crushed with no space.

Listen, to the Rose, surrounded by thorns.

Listen, to not a doe, but a Stag with great horns.

Listen, to the Red, the Bronze, the Black, and the Gold.

Listen, to the Fair, the Poor, the Warm, and the Cold.

Listen, to the Quiet, who never speaks a word.

Listen, to the Fast, whose energy soars like a bird.

Listen, to the Confused, who think they are lost.

Listen, to the Beggar, who had the greatest cost.Listen, to the Admired, who people think will never fall.

Listen, to the Petrifying, whose gaze will frighten all.

Listen, to a Person lost in a storm.

Listen, to the Sadness this world has born.

To those who whisper and lie.

Who tried to sing other’s tales.

You have your own, do not deny,

As for certain, you will fail.

I will listen to the fallen.

I will listen to the strong. 

And when this world forgets their tale,

I will sing their song.