Teach me to listen
as dawn listens to the passing night,
as the flower listens to the rising sun,
as the artist listens to his palette and brush.

Teach me to listen
as the breeze fills the sail of the simplest fishing boat,
teases the leaves of the tallest tree,
lifts the wings of the fairest bird.

Teach me to listen
to the tales of fishermen and hunters,
to the inventions of lawyers and thieves,
to the secrets of paupers and princes.
Teach me to listen
to the yearnings of the sheltered and the streetwise,
to the insights of the eldest of man,
to the murmurs of the youngest of child.

Teach me to listen to the silence.
Teach me to listen to the storm.
Teach me to listen without interruption,
without wanting to be right or needing an answer,
without ignorance or shame.

Teach me to listen.
Because to listen is to learn,
And to learn is to be wise.