Yeah, I Listened

I listened when they told me--
     "None of this has consequence"
And I listened when they said
     "Son, ideals won't keep you warm."
And I listened, yeah, I listened
     to, "Just worry about your plate."

I listened well.
I listened well.

I listened well to advice
Which struck me pragmatic and sound
I heeded when they told me
     "Feet are safer on the ground"
I listened--closely listened
Seems I'm listening even now.

I listened when they told me,
     "Kiddo, miracles are dead.
It's only grass and sky and clouds and sun--
Live your days out in yoru head."

I listened then
I sit here, now.

Always depleting
Never filling

And I wonder...

I heard them when they taught me--
     Nothing matters but your lot
And listened as these lessons
Opened wounds that wouldn't clot
          within
     the bodies of all hopes
And doused the energies of
          hearts around the species

And, now, I wonder
still, inert here; leering at the wall

I wonder...
"I've listened so damn well,
     can I still wonder at all?"