Saturday 13 April 2013

Listening


“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.

John Lubbock






L   Listening

I love listening to the sounds of nature:

  • The sound of the rain against the window pane, and the rumble of thunder in the distance when I am safe in bed,
  • The chatter and song of the birds in the morning,
  • The roar of the waves beating against the shore,
  • The lowing of cattle in the field by day,
  • The howl of the wolves at night. 
I love listening to the sound of children’s laughter:

  • The excitement of Christmas morning,
  • Little girls playing dress up,
  • Dancing to the music,
  • Jumping in a pile of fall leaves,
  • That birthday-party feeling, just before blowing the candles out,
  • Running out the door on the last day of school,
  • And racing into the lake, splashing water all about. 
And I love listening to simple pleasures;

  • The last gurgle of the coffee maker that signals the pot is done,
  • The tinkle of wind chimes,
  • A kitten’s purr,
  • The soft breathing of a baby, asleep on your shoulder,
  • When a grandchild says I love you.

Everything in writing begins with language. Language begins with listening.

Jeannette Winterson

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