Do not be fooled by the mean look.

Do not be fooled by the frown or lack of eye contact.

Tough appearances are not an indication of a lack of pain or suffering.

The withdrawn is seeking to connect in their own way.

You may not know how the withdrawn  

wants to connect and communicate.

It varies from personalities and communities.

See and feel the situation with your heart

not purely with your eyes.

Feel the walls built to dam the pain within.

An empathetic word, a smile, a hug or a phone call

may break the dam

turning the tough looking person into a grieving child.

See the heart rushing toward the dam.

Burst open the dam.

Copyright . 2011 by Shervin Hojat