The Art of Listening...

The Art of Liistening

Time is dealt to everyone
Without respect of age
Glories stream as moments pass
Between the boy and sage.

What will we do with this, our life?
What story will be told?
Will lasting memories be shared
When we grow tired and old?

I ask myself these questions now
So I’m not left to mourn
The life I led upon this earth
E’er since my soul was born.

Each thing we do is spiritual
It drips with the divine.
There is an art to living life
That makes each second shine.

The sculpture’s not the only one
That shapes and carves and molds,
A listener can do the same
When art’s applied to souls.

As someone shares you enter in
With everything you’ve got,
No word is shared without response
No piece will be forgot.

Each tone is noted with great care
Each thought is cherished deep,
There’s no excuse for drifting off
And letting your heart sleep.

When listening becomes the art
It was designed to be,
A life is given back its worth
Reviving dignity.

Each nod I give could be the thing
That heals and binds up wounds,
Each question that I gently pose
Could be the salve that soothes.

And as I guard my clumsy lips
And keep them tightly closed,
The opportunity is ripe
Where secrets are exposed.

For no one shares the deepest things
Unless their heart is heard,
If they can’t see an artist’s ear,
then they won’t speak a word.

Be quick to listen, slow to speak
So says the book of Truth,
Yet time and time again we see
Most Christians are aloof.

Where are the eyes locked on the lips
Of those who share their fears?
What ever happened to the skill
Of leading with your ears?

This art of listening is rare,
So few have learned its beauty,
This world is filled with silver tongues
Where are the ears of ruby?

I feel it’s time for things to change
Starting with our hearts,
then listening can once again
Become a living art.