Just Listen – Stephen Greene

Stephen GreeneAbout the Author: 

Stephen Greene has been involved in stuttering support with the Irish Stammering Association since 2005. He is a former chair of the association and current board member and support group facilitator. Stephen also hosts the speaker series events, where the association brings together leading researchers with members of the community and speech and language therapists to discuss topics that are important for the community.

Stephen is also the creator of the “Stutterverse” an online stuttering advocacy and awareness account across social media platforms with its goal of creating a space where stuttering is understood and valued by society. Stephen has worked professionally as a social care worker in the field of intellectual disability for 22 years and has recently had a career change, now working as a Youth Justice Worker in youth development. Originally from Dublin Ireland, now lives in the Southeast of Ireland with his family.

Just Listen 

My soul is most thankful 

In the absence of your interjection 

No matter how helpful 

One’s intentions are

For in that brief pause 

Without interruption 

I feel seen and heard 

The silence of my blocks

Are entitled to that

Silence 

For in that moment 

We have much to gain

Both you and I

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Comments

Just Listen – Stephen Greene — 8 Comments

  1. Stephen,

    I love this. Such an empowering piece about listening. In just a few words, you have epitomized the power of listening.

    “The silence of my blocks are entitled to that silence.” How beautifully said. Leaves so much to be interpreted. Thank you.

    Pam

  2. Hi Stephen, I love your work as always, but particularly, I love how you make the moment so beautiful and invite the listener to gain something too.

    • Thanks Nic,hopefully that’s what I was trying to get across, we can learn so much from this interaction the speaker and the listener, especially when someone really listens.

  3. Hi Stephen, I enjoyed reading your work. I fell that it captures the art of communication. I like how you expressed the interjections and the blocks.

  4. What a wonderful poem, as usual, Stephen. In this fast-talking world we’re in right now, it’s a breath of fresh air to meet someone who literally makes me relax through waiting. It makes me listen, take in the words and gives me time to think. Our blocks can be a sigh of relief to our listener. Love it.

    Keep talking

    Anita