I don't hear ... I listen

Few in the world are listeners … while others only hear
Most are afraid of death … while no death is my fear

A listener I am I feed on others pain
I don't know why I do that … but maybe there is a gain

I hear no words … emotion I hear mourning I feel
I ease others pain through words I do heal

But to ease my own pain through paper I talk
Sorrow and grief I breathe … then I walk


Burdened runs my blood through a glass vein
I ask for more sorrow again and again

Never have I complained and no pain do I give
Painless could I ever be... With no pain how can I live

With this entire burden still I live free
Always I'm a brother, a friend, a palm tree
Hear me you do … but would you listen to me
"Pain eater" I dub myself "Pain eater" I shall be

Can anyone bear to take this honor?
Please do so … only for an hour
Inhale others pain like smelling a flower

Unless it's yours… pain is no illness
It may touch you for a while … later it becomes senseless
Words of sorrow turn to be hollow not meaningless

And still I don't hear only I listen
Maybe one day I will be forgiven

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Your words are wise. My Elders taught me to listen is the great skill. Any fool can talk and say nothing. A wise man will pay attention and if he is lucky. He may grasp some great knowledge. A excellent poem. Thank you.
Coyote

[M.Kilani]

Thank you all for your reviews
@the Ark One : it is the pain that keeps us in touch with our true emotions that's how it keeps us alive .
@Coyote Poetry : thank you I'm really glad you find it so, listening is a gift, yet it can be a curse in a world where everyone mourns .
@Onyx_Rayne : thanks a lot, it's a bit of all (he, she, and it), us, our friends, our family, even the pages we write on.
@Cherrie Palmer : thanks a lot :D
@Sara Mercury : I didn't watch "Pushing Daisies" but the part where you mentioned the Sin Eater was totally true, the movie was inspiring, although I've written the poem few months after watching it, but yes it holds the same concept, thanks for pointing out the typo I've missed it. sadly it is what I truly felt at that moment, which is something that I hate, but the formation and rhyme can be considered as an artistic projection of those emotions . Thank you for your review sorry it took me long to reply ... thanks again

[Sara Mercury]

"Inhale others pain like smelling a flower" - reminds me of the television series, "Pushing Daisies," featuring Anna Friel;
"Pain eater" - reminds me of the Sin Eater, a concept presented in the film, "The Order," with Heath Ledger.
I think your word, "trough" should be, "through."
But moreso, this poem reminds me of "The Order," with the Sin Eater being akin to your Pain Eater.
The more I read this, the more intrigued I'm becoming. Very genius.
Is this just a work of art? or a projection of your true heart?
"There is a fate that is worse than death." Cool ...
These are the words of a true empath.

[Cherrie Palmer]

old world wisdom wraped in a ryhme. Good job

[Franklin...]

Good rhyme and word choice, and I like the format. This poem, I don't know, it feels lonely and sad, but with a vein of pride running through it. Like someone who has accepted a burden, but is never the less brought some measure of satisfaction by it. It reminds me of the 'village doctor'; he treats everyone's ills, but when the doctor is ill, who treats him? Himself?
The thing I'm having trouble understanding is the last line. I'm not sure what the subject wants forgiveness for.

[Onyx_Rayne]

Very interesting and filled with wisdom. There is also an element of mystery to the write because, try as I might, I can't figure out what "it"..or "he"...or "she" is..haha. But in my opinion, that's not a bad thing. I know the main things that I need to know... it fears "no death"... and it listens to others pain and takes that pain away.

Definitely a creative and unique write. I really enjoyed it :)

[TAO]

Painless could I ever be... With no pain how can I live

While don't completely understand it, there were many moments of insight... Indeed, how can you truly live if there is no pain? Well done.