Human virtue 2

 

Maybe all we want is to be heard.

Is that the "human virtue" the hand-sketched boy whistles?

Do you hear his song? Do I hear yours?

Is that what wins Love’s perfect smile?

I will be quiet now so that I can listen to only you.

12 responses to “Days 95-99 – Five Lines”

  1. Terry Avatar
    Terry

    My father always whistled when he was forced to wait for something—the changing of a tire at the garage, perhaps a much awaited meal, or in the springtime mornings in Maryland, when he would sit at the breakfast table and eagerly look out the window to his back yard and the projects that lay ahead.
    Each of us sends out “whistles” of one kind and another as our lives interact and connect. But most of us miss many of the whistles and think the person is simply wasting time. But the tunes keep coming; see if you can hear them!

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  2. Teresa Reynolds Avatar
    Teresa Reynolds

    My favorite teacher in graduate school said in a lecture one day, “if you can offer someone a felt sense of being truly heard, It will be better than any orgasm they’ll ever experience”. Strong words. Yes, thank you. What we really want and need is to be witnessed and heard.

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  3. Julie Laverdiere Avatar

    All anyone ever wants is to have a voice when they want to be heard!

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  4. Erie Chapman Foundation Avatar

    Love memories of your dad, Terry, and this is one of the best I’ve heard. Thank you for picking up so well on the message of this post and thank you for being such a wonderful light in this world.

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  5. Erie Chapman Foundation Avatar

    Now THIS is a powerful commentary – the impact of being heard in every part of ourselves is so remarkable. Thank you for this post, Teresa.

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  6. Erie Chapman Foundation Avatar

    Thank you so much for posting, Julie. Hope you will share both your comments and mine with others.

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  7. Julie Laverdiere Avatar

    So is my comment not being shared? I got a new computer and some of the settings had to be redone.

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  8. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Only five lines, yet they stir one’s heart & spirit, nostalgia & childhood memories, a deeper knowing & affirmation and the joy of human connection. Beautiful, Erie!

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  9. Jolyon Avatar
    Jolyon

    A whistling boy next to a plowshare.
    It brings to mind…
    “Just whistle while you work
    Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long
    Just hum a merry tune
    Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song.”
    And the plowshare was made of melted down guns and weapons of war.
    We have entered a time of Peace and Love.
    “Whistle While You Work” music written by Frank Churchill and lyrics written by Larry Morey.

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  10. erie Avatar
    erie

    Thanks so much for your cheerful response, Jolyon!

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  11. erie Avatar
    erie

    Thanks you, sweet Liz. Yes. I am glad for the whimsy of the image and the deeper message of whether listening is really the most important thing.

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  12. erie Avatar
    erie

    Yes. You comment was shared. I just meant sharing your thoughts beyond the journal. Sorry for the confusion and than you for your thoughts.

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