I didn’t sleep well. I woke up with a heavy, critical heart. Fortunately I have people in my life who can listen and who know that by listening fully without judgement, I will find my way back to my sturdy self. Of course, what prompt do I pull this morning? ‘The Listener’ You have to grin at how the universe works.

THE LISTENER

She sits next to me
She lies next to me
She walks next to me
She listens
I moan
I berate
I weep
I shake
She listens
It is a magical and simple thing this thing she does
She offers me a bowl and I pour all my sludge into it
Over and over
Until I run clean
Until I look up
Until I can see
That she is still there
Listening
Beautiful
Whole
Smiling
Knowing
A storm passes through
She lets it