When is the last time you looked at me

and truly saw me,

not just saw through me?

When is the last time you asked me how I was

and expected an honest answer

or waited for me to answer before you just kept going on your way?

Do you realize that maybe if we stopped long enough to have a real conversation

and wouldn’t be so judgemental when people were truthful,

that maybe people surrounded by “friends” wouldn’t kill themselves unexpectedly.

Maybe if instead of asking how I am and walking away,

you should stop and truly listen to my words.

Go a step further

and don’t just hear the words,

but listen to my heart,

read my face.

Maybe instead of taking the easy way out

and asking how I am with a smile on your face

and a hand wave and walking away,

you should stop

and hear me out and be my friend.

Maybe if instead of inquiring about how someone is and then walking away

you should be there for them.

Maybe if we let people know that we’re hurting, too

then we wouldn’t all feel so alone.

 

Instead of letting people off the hook,

be real.

Tell them you feel like crap today,

that you just don’t want to keep moving

that you need a friend.

Maybe they feel the same way.

Be honest about how you are

and don’t ask someone unless you’re ready to help them heal.

Why should we walk down the hall,

looking around at all the sea of people who are broken inside

but never truly see them?

Why should people keep being broken

because we were too afraid to listen to them?

 

Sometimes everything feels perfect.

And sometimes

it doesn’t.

Listen to people.

See people.

Don’t just hear the noise and ignore the words.

Make an effort.