I listen to stories all around me

I smile as I hear comforting fantasies
Stories of butterflies fluttering around flowers
Stories of fairies and unicorns flying
Stories of May sunshine and April showers
Stories of wistful mermaids sighing

I sigh as I hear sweet romances
Stories of lovers living happily ever after
Stories of men wooing women with charm and poise
Stories of honeymooners breathless with laughter
Stories of duels fought with sword and voice

I chuckle as I hear funny quotes
Stories of humorous instances of the day
Stories of little accidents and jokes
Stories of those funny things they say
Stories of such amusing anecdotes

I listen to stories all around me

But do I hear the loneliness of reality?
Stories of death and pollution
Stories of poverty and sickness
Stories of problems and corruption
Stories of despair and sadness

Do I hear the bitterness of love unrequited?
Stories of loves forgotten and lost
Stories of rejection and pain
Stories of failure though paid is the cost
Stories of faithless lies and firm love slain

Do I hear the half-meaning of the jokes I so enjoy?
Stories of the prejudice people face
Stories of the lies one can't help but make
Stories of the sadness of another race
Stories of the challenges one has to take


Isn't it ironic?

We long for the truth but never hear it
We want to know more but refuse to know it all
We only hear and act as we see fit
We have forgotten again and then we fall

Maybe it's because we have a choice
To be deaf to the stories sad and broken
Just to hear what we want to hear
No matter what is spoken.

current mood: thoughtful
current music: Where is the Love? - The Black Eyed Peas