Please Listen to the Quiet Person Inside of Me

Is there a quiet person somewhere in your life?

Some who sits nearby and who barely says “Hi”?

Do you ever wonder why they are that way

As they silently pass through the day?

Or do you believe they are just too stuck up

And so dismiss them without further thought?

I have been accused of that and called names;

Hurtful names that haunt and leave me maimed.

For I am one of those quiet individuals too

And for many reasons I guess, quietness is my refuge.

I try to be outgoing and a little social

But sometimes reaching others is a battle.

For I strain to try and really listen

And join in on the conversation

But hearing the right words is sometimes hard

Especially when listening from afar.

I try to respond and tactfully associate

But find my words or actions are not appropriate.

I receive glares and stares with awkward silence

Which then pummels my inner confidence.

Also when young, I was teased too much and put down

So now I fear looking foolish or like a clumsy clown.

I fear being singled out and being made a target

Of some unkindness which will make my heart ache.

For that has happened in my life more than once

Where I am made to feel unwanted or a mindless dunce.

I cannot describe the pain and heartache that I feel

When I know the hurt was purposeful and intentional.

So now I find it so much easier to sit in silence, you see

Smiling and nodding my head so quietly.

I have learned in life that I am not the only one

Who lives in the fortress of quietness as the world goes on.

I have met others who also express a quiet disposition

And if encouraged, they will express kindness and try to understand.

So if you are filled with compassion and try to listen so carefully

You just might reach that quiet person hiding inside of me.