QUIET THINGS

Have you ever listened to the silent sounds
a canoe slipping through the water
a paintbrush against the canvas?

Have you ever heard your bare feet on the sandy beach
Have you noticed the stars sing
and have you heard the snow fall?

Have you listened to the autumn leaves
all shades of chrysanthemums drift to the grass
and the early morning mist fall like vapor in the pine trees?
Have you ever heard
birds in flight?
The softest breeze?

Have you ever had life whisper to you
that you are a part of all that is good?
That you can rise above all your afflictions
rise above every limitation
lift over the clouds of sorrow
and bloom as beautifully
as anything made?

Have you had your wordlessness
acknowledge with deep appreciation
for your every blessing
and the joy of being alive
in all these quiet things?

If you have a dream of quiet things
even for a few brief moments
draw your chair up beside mine.
Whatever I have not thought of ... you will
and it is all the better shared.