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