Listen

This started with the idea of paying more attention to the world around us. Being present in the moment. When we meditate, we’re supposed to quiet all thoughts and just pay attention to our breathing. But even those of us that practice meditation often find ourselves getting caught up in the craziness of our everyday lives. What happens when we stop and purposefully become more observant?

Each of the stanzas of this piece is also intended to function as a complete micro poem of five lines on its own. I like the interconnectedness of multiple little poems that are just fine on their own yet make up something bigger together. Kind of reminds me of all of us.

 

Listen to the birds

Twittering and chirping

Celebrating the new day

The new dawn

In song

Listen to the cat

Hurrying you into the day

Because he’s thirsty

And only you have thumbs

To work the faucet

Listen to your neighbors

As you pass in the street

Quiet hellos

Acknowledging

Another day of work ahead

Listen to your car

Your trusty steed

The quiet purr

Of a faithful companion

With a plastic hide

Listen to all the little sounds

We take for granted

Every day

They are a symphony

Of beauty in the mundane

Listen to your inner voices

The things you tell yourself

Quietly hush

The negative one

Constantly criticizing

Listen for the positive voice

The one that notices

Each little improvement

Every step in the right direction

On your journey through life

Listen to musicians and artists

Let their voices

Their creations

Inspire greatness

In you

Listen to the scientists

And inventors

Let the possibilities

And new technologies

Inspire you to dream

Listen to the storytellers

As they imagine new worlds

That they may inspire you

To journey

Beyond the known

But most importantly

Listen to your soul

To your dreams and desires

Follow these voices

As they lead you higher

For though you may work hard

More will you achieve

When you listen to the world

Listen to yourself

And believe.