Her Tone: There is Insight For One Who Hears

She wasn't a person who oft would call;
But her tone of voice really said it all.
I knew instinctively I had to go
Quickly, and yes, so the truth I would know.

I saw there was no time that I should waste.
I almost stumbled in my flurried haste.
While trying not to panic any more;
Calm and serene, I knocked upon her door.

"Thank you, my dear, I see that you have come,
And that is more than I can say for some."
Still wondering what she would have me do,
"May I come in?" I asked her kindly, too.

"Sit down, my dear, and we will have some tea."
It was as if there was no urgency.
"My mother taught me not to stay alone
If there are times I need to chew a bone."

It took a while before I understood,
But at that time, the cup of tea was good.
"Contention is the bone I have to chew
And I would like to leave this up to you.

I'm getting up in age and thus, I know
That frail of heart and mind, I shall soon grow.
Because I know exactly what to say,
I want to write my will out now, today.

I have a large estate to settle here;
I need your help to do all that, my dear.
And with your help, it will be in good hands;
I know you will fulfill my will's demands."

The woman only lived another day,
As God had angels who took her away.
"Thank you," she had told me, in her last breath;
The others were all saddened by her death.

Her tone of voice had given me insight;
Be there for her and try to do what's right.
A tone of voice speaks plain to one who hears
And strives to help a woman with her fears.

Responding to a woman's tone of voice can be as important as listening to her words, maybe even more so at times.