The way we talk

before those who we tell ourselves
do not hear us

is that really the way
we talk the rest of the time
how can we ever be sure of it
once we start listening
to ourselves as we do
when we talk in front of you
and when you are not there
how old you must be
who do not sleep
and never meet our eyes
though you are never out of them
you who we’re not born

if you do not hear us
we can ask anything of you

listen

now in the still night
the sound of breathing
remember it
whether you hear it or not