I Want to Live Like an Ear: Layers of Listening

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How would it be to live like an ear,

as if my entire purpose was to listen?

Listening to the person in front of me,

hanging on their words as if they are

the last other human left alive on the earth,

as if my survival depends on their very next utterance,

as if these are their final words before the shroud?

My other ear will be listening to the Divine.

What wisdom does Sophia have to impart?

What voice will she use? Will it be the cardinal's song,

the distant playground delight of children,

the green shush of the pear tree’s fluttering hands,

the music of the chimes dancing in the sunlight?

Let me listen closely to discern layers in their message.

Now I see that I will need an extra ear

to be attuned to my heart,

for she also has her song:

sometimes a boom-ticka-clank of disquiet,

a squeezing squeak of dread,

sometimes a moaning dirge of sorrow,

a sigh of weary discouragement.

Let me place a hand on my heart

to comfort, to assure: “I hear you. I am listening.”

For then a warmth steals in beneath that hand,

the constriction eases, and the hearing

of my other ears suddenly clears, like a radio

finding the perfect landing on a dial.

So now let me be content

with just these and no more:

a hand,

a heart,

and a trio of ears.

January 2026

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Additional Layers of Listening

This poem was selected for inclusion in a poetry anthology, Intention of Love, by my friend, ZenJen Brown, in May 2026. She also invited me to be a guest poet on her Intention of Love Featured Poets Series podcast.

ZenJen and me in our 36-minute Zenful Conversation about my poem, "I Want to Live Like an Ear"

WATCH THE PODCAST

In this July 2026 episode of the Zenful Conversations podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with ZenJen to talk about poetry, spiritual companionship, and the subtle ways that love manifests in our everyday lives. Jen is so contemplative and generous — she creates an inviting, spacious atmosphere, which made it easy for me to be genuinely myself and to speak from the heart.

I share a bit about my creative path as a practice of listening closely with my "three ears" and letting language rise from that intuitive place. Our conversation moves through themes of presence, healing, and the small moments that shape a life.

If you’re curious about the intersection of poetry and contemplative living, or simply want to settle into a nourishing dialogue, this episode is a beautiful place to begin.

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ALSO — enjoy this lovely free offering of the poetry anthology, Intention of Love.

INTENTION OF LOVE: A Poetry Anthology

Intention of Love: A Poetry Anthology, edited by ZenJen Brown

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Finally, if you’re drawn to explore spiritual companioning/direction, IFS or SoulCollage®, as mentioned in the podcast, wander over to my companion site — Luminous Heart: A Space for Creativity, Healing, and Self-Discovery.