listening

how very difficult it is to listen
to truly, fully, unyieldingly listen
to not just others, but most importantly our inner voice, and our bodies
to tune into them amidst the torrents of everyday life
and ask questions, reflect, and then prescribe a way of soothing these voices which are there but rarely heard.
like mary oliver said "attention is the beginning of devotion".
then, listening must surely be the beginning of attention.