Listening

*The heart has ears*

The ones found sitting

in silence

with echoes

of the teachers voice

reaching out in the quiet

when you lean in..

that hear a silent ocean

with each wave stretching toward

waiting shores..

that care

about what soft rain

has to say..

And you. Leaving a water pail by the front door,

where you and a local wood pigeon

amid a current of circling wings

flapping the breeze close,

have arrived at the same time

and you apologize

for disturbing another local.

And the life search. You. Pushed off worn trails

because the heart's ears have lead you

to forge your own!

And you. Winding through the tissue of experience

press up against outer edges

of uncertain outcome

with few odds in your favor!

without looking back

to heightened moments

where felt-connection rang ancient chords

validating night dreams and inner soundscapes.

And paused

in one of the many troughs

between the peaks

of existential gesture

you, eye focused within

like a river building strength

behind a dam,

wait to bring new life

to distant valleys

once again.

~Chandali 2016