So Sorry to Hear

 

 

How oft have you said,

“So sorry to hear”

When you heard some bad news

Loaded with despair?

 

It is understandable

But not what we mean

And for sure, when it is heard,

It’s not what is gleaned.

 

Someone has passed

And we are “sorry to hear”,

But that’s not what we mean

Though what we share.

 

“So sorry to hear

This happened to you"

But that’s not what we mean-

Not in my view.

 

"Did you hear

What happened to Scot?"

“No,” but when you finally heard

You almost dropped.

 

Genuinely touched,

These words appear

From lips operating by mere reflex,

“So sorry to hear.”

 

You’ve heard it often

And have said it too,

And when you responded like this

You were being true.

 

Albeit, though,

It wasn’t what you meant

For you were glad you heard

But not with evil bent.

 

It is the circumstance

You were sorry about

But when you hear bad news

That’s how it comes out.

 

It’s not “so sorry to hear"

Of some recent mishap

But sorry it has happened as in,

I’ve got your back.

 

If you hadn’t heard

You could not know

That your friend had suffered

A major blow.

 

 

 

Nothing more to say

But I trust you understand

That the expression we often share

Is for the circumstance.

 

Stewart Russell © August 8, 2025