Blessing for Different Sounds
Above all, I thank you for your many orchestrations, for the skitter of a mouse moving through the silent house, or the might of waters falling on distant shores, I give thanks that I can hear every form of your voice, so that I have learned through the years not only the intimacy of approaching footfall not only the child’s cry wanting other arms but I have learned to love even your warnings, whispered or called out loud, I have learned to live between them, for them and through them, through all your different forms, and you, you have always arrived to find me at the center, waiting for your calm voice of distant stars so that my ears have learned to live in anticipation and to understand themselves as the focus of arriving waves from far beyond me so that even in that spacious music we call silence I am still waiting here to decipher your ancient language, I am still here waiting to hear for the first time, the new song you have given me, out of the origin of time itself to find the future granted and given back, to listen in the silence with the private ear created by every separate voice. -from The Bell and the Blackbird
Just before I brought up your post, I was commenting to my husband how I enjoyed hearing the sounds of many wings as the sparrow explode from one bush to seek cover in another….and the call of the crow in the fields beyond….then I read this poem. Thank you!
David, I love many of your books, but the "Bell and the Blackbird" is one of my favorites. I have bequeathed copies to many of my family and friends for birthdays and other occasions. Every time I read this beautiful poem, I feel the blessing that we can hear at all…Therein lies the beauty of hearing…
Warmly,
Stan