Aftir This Sche Stynte

What if the quietist is not
Ignoring what’s wrong, ignoring
You, but is the last one

Silently paying attention,
Which comes at the high cost of doubt
And constant consideration?

The quietist has opinions,
And hermits can be emphatic,
But they’ve withdrawn to where no one

Is listening to them so that
They may notice something besides
Their own voices talking to them,

May reach the point of exhaustion
In one-sided conversations
And finally, simply attend.

There needs to be a better verb
For the counterpoint that compels
Attention, silence earning it.

As fine as it is to attend,
How much wiser to be the world
Beyond attention, still waiting.