What gets in the way of us connecting with others?

EGO!

Do I listen with my heart and mind,
or just for the opening
so I can tell
my story?

Can I recall what was said to me,
and the attendant emotions
that hide within
the lines of someone
elses story?

Do I respond so that they
know they were heard,
and do I offer help?

Or is my agenda too full?

I once knew a woman
whose sister died,
and so she went to
the funeral,
stayed a few extra days
to help the widower,
still to raw to act.

This woman's boss,
her friend as well,
felt affronted, and
later admited she transferred
a lot on this woman
that wasn't hers.
The boss claimed,
"she ran out of compassion."

"Woe is me," is the same
as " how great am I,"
although it's different masks
of the same ego
the result is the same:

I can't hear you because
my story is
more important
than yours.

The subtle disguises
our ego wears
look so very good,
they are to be judged
by the fruit they bear.