Thanks for the shoutout thenewgreen - I saw this earlier and was going to write to yellowtops, but Hubski has been slow today as I'm sure you've all noticed and my comment wouldn't post. I'll try again now. Yellowtops, your art-poetry project is something I would like to see when it is mounted. There's a lot in this poem - and your interesting use of language is appreciated (either, ethers, for example). I want to mention in particular these lines:
You are talking here of the urgent need to be an empathic listener. It is so hard to be that listener --- who can respond appropriately to a troubled person. We have our own needs and frustrations. But you make it very clear in this poem that the right help can make a big difference. My singular chance is that when the day comes,
I’ll bump into someone who’ll prop me.
And if I’m the man that I’ll want to be then,
I’ll let go the guilt and they’ll stop me.
I like that accompanying art for this piece focuses on the aircraft behind the subject as he leaves, but while he is clearly leaving in order to look for something else he desperately needs. Pairing these pieces was a no-brainer. But also the piece should be seen as a warning to the listener, that there is a time where being what someone needs is impossible because it places some of the onus on the man being who he needs to be when help arrives. I was able to power through it. I hope others can. I know some won't.