active listening

we miss the word that no one wants to hear
so much is urgent at the changing hour
just before dawn and our faces are dour

so many needs and so much we hold dear
our hearts must quail and we just have to cower
we miss the word that no one wants to hear

no one can see behind the sharp veneer
to all the swords that still sustain our power
instead they praise the fruit within the flower
we miss the word than no one wants to hear