If You Don't Know, Then You Don't

words string
like a tether;
thoughts slow,
linear, measured

few follow;
most rush ahead

the moment
an unnecessary
assignment
memorized for
the short-term

just enough
attention granted
to glean praise,
glory, a sense
one matters

the gravity of
message lost

all that's beneath
like clouds; what
was important
yesterday, vanished

only the listener
fails to dismiss;
learns to read code

powerless, perhaps
wiser for the deciphering