Have you ever listened?

Not to anything in particular, just to hear

To listen to peace and not fear

To remember life and a reminiscence

I double-dog dare you, 

To hear the voice of the city

To hear cars going through the streets 

To hear restaurants chopping carrots and the cutting of meats

To hear shops sell clothes that are thrifty

I challenge you,

To be aware of ducks that quack

To be aware of frogs leaping pad to pad

To be aware of water weeping because it’s sad

To be aware of alligators going on the attack

I ask you,

To take in the foam coming from the waves

To take in the crunch of the sand

To take in the horn of the boat- a captain’s hello to land

To take in the inside of one conch, an ocean inside to claim

I want you,

To gather the leaves of the forest coming down

To gather the birds building their nests

To gather the sound of paws breaking twigs and stopping to rest

To gather even a gunshot hitting a bird till it hits the ground

I implore you,

To feel rain coming down like you were in a bubble bath getting clean

To feel like the sun is about to laugh and smile 

To feel as if the wind was dancing and trying to encourage you to join for a while

To feel the stars sing a chorus of  ‘Twinkle, Twinkle,” loving and serene

Sound is everywhere

Sound is the voice of life

Be still in peace and not strife

Or else find yourself in the dead’s lair