Dare Listen

Dare Listen by Odin Roark Time chooses to whisper, Having endured shouting decades, A species’ feigned listening, Maelstrom's obsessive noise-making. Still persistent Is but a parade, A just married tin can raucous Tied to mankind's bumper. How tenuous one’s duration. Yesterday… Sitting inside time's tree house, This place of early discoveries, Where do and don't became but chaff-covered kernels A slow growing wisdom first heard, Through Daddy’s cheap wine curiosity Slowly washing away innocence, Introducing adult fantasies Through the malaise of unknown tomorrows. Synchronously, tiny sparrows Nesting in branches above Chirped their own hunger pangs, Awaiting mother and worm. Below, a squirrel foraging acorns paused, Looked up and listened to the now of Nature’s family, Savored sounds of his own way and means. Today… Time awaits the next moment. As far as the eye can see, Old roof tops recede, Conifers hold firm their rightful place Hosting fowl and predator alike, Remaining ready to engage the next of reality’s misdeeds, Endless out-of-control concussion of erosive man, While Nature digs in for another encounter. In duration’s not too distant future, Man’s earth destroying roar Will hopefully stumble and be swallowed By the unsullied trees, Rocks, And life-consciousness, Allowing the essence of Nature's inexhaustive patience To be heard. Dare listen… Some will hear the desperate existence whisper The harmonious nocturnes of everything that is, Embracing the elusive nothingness of peace, Even as attachment and resistance Remains forever tone deaf. Author Notes Nature’s often abstract way of communicating may someday be all that’s left. (Image by M. Meir) © Odin Roark. All rights reserved, 9 hours ago Comment Wizard Rate this poem (anonymous, details)