He decided he was a good listener.
The way they talked around him
as he stroked his chin
and said, "Yes, yes…"
and nodded knowingly
put them at ease,
he felt,
and kept them talking.

That was what a good listener did,
certainly,
and he even asked questions
to keep them going
on whatever subject
they had opted to spout about.

Just keep ’em rambling
and they’ll be happy.
That’s what satisfies the people,
he always said – no.
He always listened.
Because he was, he had decided,
a good listener,
no matter how they always complained.