Love and Attention

A meditation on neediness

Love and attention are not

The same,

One's the foundation, the other,

A game;

Some there are who won't be

Ignored,

And scorning silence, make do

With deplored,

But do not condemn them before

You assess

What it means to struggle

With emptiness.

Author's Note

As one celebrity put it, "There ain't no such thing as bad press."

Reviews

[Laz K.]

"to struggle/With emptiness." - I have the feeling that 2020 is the year when the universe said, "Stop!" to humanity and forced them/us to look at ourselves, and our sham reality. The rug was pulled from under our feet, we fell on our backs and now are looking around in a state of shock. The world we took for granted is in ruins, our old narratives failed. This process shines a light on our loveless lives, our emptiness and it is a painful thing to deal with. This is what this poem made me think of.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Glad you found the poem stimulating. Indeed, this year has been even wilder than 1968, and we still have a few months to go.

[Lorry]

Likes and clicks seems to be the new fame. Talking of their shallowness gives them so much depth... Compared to their audience at least.
Self obsession isn't enough for some, they need everyone to notice them, which is why loud whiny voices comess included at no extra cost.
Wise words once more my friend.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Lorry. In this electronic age, you can become famous almost instantly. Those who think that's great
often come up against the fact that fame's pendulum swings two ways, like the proverbial double edged sword.

[AJNJ]

Just loved this. All those annoying, clanging pots out there...there's a very human reason for their existence.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Obnoxious behavior may in reality be a cry for help.

[AJNJ]

Yes of course.

[Ruth]

Incredibly poignant. Indeed two very different things and yet so seldom understood, brilliant poem :)

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. It is difficult to be understanding in the face of repellant behavior, but sometimes that's the best way to make it cease.

[Miss Sharon]

A lot of truth in a few words. I like this. ~Sharon

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. I find that brief, pithy messages get through more effectively than wordy sermons.

[Dave Brown]

Yes I've seen that before
no such thing as bad press
loneliness is a terrible thing
Even "Hey Google" sometimes talks to us without a prompt

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Dave. The problem is that some lonely people act out in unpleasant ways.

[Papaya]

You wrapped it up so perfectly in the end. Nobody knows another's aches and sorrows.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Sometimes those who annoy us most are in reality crying for help.

[Papaya]

Yes, that sounds about right. :)