During days I once slowed to listen for
hidden sounds, to take in contrast of
chaos against calm, pressing needs against what simply is
without me, things for which I’ve no responsibility.
I’d trained myself to find the ground in
small noises, that sudden hush when
mind and hands stop
to hear and see now.
Faucet drips into soaking pot, ceiling fan whirs, here I am
ears, heart open,
God speak.
This day I return from taking kids to school
and choose against music again,
so as not to drown out the undercurrent,
baby cry, crow squawk, squirrel feet in drying leaves, plane overhead,
power tool, car passing, mailbox lid clanging
shut.
I listen from within quiet’s folds, where life keeps
living, and I routinely hear the exhale of
breath through my own nose,
soft scrape of feet against hardwoods,
almost as if I listened closely enough
I could hear the beating of my own heart,
God speak.
Linking with Lisha and Kelli‘s communities.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
I am LOVING your poet’s heart that’s been emerging here as you embrace the “quiet’ of your new season. You’ve echoed my heart on this Monday morning. Yes, God, PLEASE speak.
Thank you for affirming the poetry girl in me. Poetry might very well be the Spirit’s language to my heart through the quiet. Thank you for your echo, dear one.
Lovely and encouraging. Listening is what I’ve been missing lately, and it shows. Thank you, Ashley.
Thank you, Tresta. I so loved your reflections on the purpose of quiet last week. Beautiful. Grateful for your voice.
I so wish I would spin poetry, Ashley! You have such a gift, my friend. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Dear Lori, thank you, love. It’s a joy to me, really.
You and poetry are a good, good combo. Like water for my thirsty soul. I love your heart, your open eyes and ears. I’m inspired today.
Dana, you are such an encourager. Poetry has been my resting place lately. Looking forward to growing in it for sure. xoxo
Oh, yes, the quiet is such a gift. And listening a blessed reward. I love the way God speaks in these moments. Thank you for sharing at Unforced Rhythms.
“The quiet is such a gift. And listening a blessed reward.” Wow, thank you for that picture, Beth. I appreciate you being here.
Beautiful Ashley, just beautiful.
:-) xoxo
This is so beautiful. God speaks to us in so many ways. :) I’m glad I stumbled upon your site, Ashley!
Doesn’t he just?! Grateful to see you here. Thank you for your kind words.
“I listen within quiet’s folds…” Mercy, how beautiful a place that is. I am loving your heart seeping out in this form of poetry lately. I know the seasons I walk through when it seems there is no other way to communicate the depths but this. I hear your heart’s desire to return here, to pay attention to the hidden things in ways you haven’t been able to of late – and I’m with you, oh sweet friend, how I’m with you. So much love.
That brings me a lot of comfort, Amber. Yes, friend, poetry is a way of communicating the depths when nothing else will suffice. It allows for a kind of mystery and unknown that is another aspect of God….the uncontainable, unexplainable, unfathomable. Thank you for getting this, and me. I love you.