The Art of Listening
Each morning
when my eyes gently open
with our brilliant sunrise,
I hear the sound
of my 17-year old dog’s breath beside me--
gentle breaths from a sour mouth
of rotten teeth way too old to clean.
My ears are pulled to my bedroom window
overlooking my yard with pool amidst.
In the distance is a passing jet.
If I push my ears out to focus,
I hear sparrows chirping on a pepper tree,
as if they all arrived for breakfast at the same time.
Who rang the breakfast bell?
and is it audible to every human ear?
It’s summertime, and If I stop for one more moment,
I hear the buzzing of our air conditioner unit
pushing out cool air
on this hot steamy summer morning.
From the next room, a toilet flushes,
and then the sound of my husband
placing his night guard in its plastic container.
These are all morning sounds
that reminds me it’s time to begin a new day
of new ways and new dreams.
It’s a day not to turn back to yesterday,
but a reminder to stay in the moment
And practice the art of listening.
when my eyes gently open
with our brilliant sunrise,
I hear the sound
of my 17-year old dog’s breath beside me--
gentle breaths from a sour mouth
of rotten teeth way too old to clean.
My ears are pulled to my bedroom window
overlooking my yard with pool amidst.
In the distance is a passing jet.
If I push my ears out to focus,
I hear sparrows chirping on a pepper tree,
as if they all arrived for breakfast at the same time.
Who rang the breakfast bell?
and is it audible to every human ear?
It’s summertime, and If I stop for one more moment,
I hear the buzzing of our air conditioner unit
pushing out cool air
on this hot steamy summer morning.
From the next room, a toilet flushes,
and then the sound of my husband
placing his night guard in its plastic container.
These are all morning sounds
that reminds me it’s time to begin a new day
of new ways and new dreams.
It’s a day not to turn back to yesterday,
but a reminder to stay in the moment
And practice the art of listening.
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Diana Raab, PhD
Diana Raab, PhD, is an award-winning memoirist, poet, blogger, speaker, and author of 10 books and is a contributor to numerous journals and anthologies.
Her two latest books are, "Writing for Bliss: A Seven-Step Plan for Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life," and "Writing for Bliss: A Companion Journal." Her poetry chapbook, "An Imaginary Affair," was recently released in July 2022 with Finishing Line Press. She blogs for Psychology Today, Thrive Global, Sixty and Me, Good Men Project, and The Wisdom Daily and is a frequent guest blogger for various other sites. Visit: www.dianaraab.com. |