The Deaf Ear

No weapon is as potent as a deaf ear.

They say,
“Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me”
We all know this is nonsense.

But as mighty as the tongue may be,
with all its power to strike directly to the soul,
it’s the indifferent ear that wields far more destruction.

It’s when the bid for connection is brushed away,
when the story told is met with a shrug,
when the beating heart through words is met with a silent nod,
it’s the way they look by you…
or maybe right through you.
This is the death blow.

In all manner of human connection,
friend or foe,
romantic or platonic,
personal or professional,
the cruelest assault has always been indifference.