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# Look Both Ways Before Crossing
- URL: https://www.hawkword.com/poetry/look-both-ways-before-crossing/
- Published: 2024-02-02T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-02-02T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: What better way to understanding than simply listening for once? Stop claiming, wanting and demanding, and give the answer half a chance. And no, not only to appease them; you've no monopoly on wisdom, and listening...
- Author: A. Gee
- Tags: Poetry, Sonnet, Allpoetry Import, #Import 2026-04-25 19:56

What better way to understanding  
than simply listening for once?  
Stop claiming, wanting and demanding,  
and give the answer half a chance.  
And no, not only to appease them;  
you've no monopoly on wisdom,  
and listening, you might just learn  
that what they long for and they yearn  
is not so different and appalling.  
Compassion, dignity, respect.  
That's what they want, what they expect  
and so would you, should you come calling.  
That's what the ancient writings teach.  
And also: practice what you preach.