Listen

 

Really listen

to mother coyote

at midnight

and you will stay awake

forever.

Stand still, not far

from the bird feeder

eavesdropping on gossip

of nuthatch and titmouse,

finch and pine siskin.

Isn't this all the morning

news you need? 

In the evening

when you hear Jesus

weeping in the garden,

stay awhile.

Don't ask, "What's wrong?"

Never ask anybody

that.

He'll just answer, "Oh,

it's nothing."

True poverty is resting

without words.

You think he is grieving

about tomorrow?

Really listen.

There is never

another day.

His tears are for the beauty

of silence,

the softness of the dark, 

and in the midst

of all our sorrows, the gift

of this breath.

Photo by Pamela Karaz