I nod and listen
her words like the crash of a wave on the shore;
I smile and listen
his voice swift like the wind before a storm;
I close my eyes and listen
vibrations of love and hate fill the air…
Even in my listening I may not agree
with her words
with his voice
with the vibration;
even in my listening I need not retreat
into judgmental assumptions
or swayed opinions so they will like me.
Yet only in my listening
may I understand the other;
only in my listening
may I invite
respect, compassion, unity;
only in my listening
may I be free.