True Listening Poem by gershon hepner

If listening is to worship truly,
all answers must involve
a priestly process in which coolly
responders can resolve
the problems poured upon the altar
by those who would be heard,
providing that they do not falter
by worshiping each word.

Inspired by Martin Heidegger’s statement that listening is to worship, which I learned when reading an article by Gordon Hempton, “The Listener’s Yosemite, ” in the Summer 2009 edition of National Parks. Hempton is a sound-recording artist who has circled the globe, seeking the pristine sound of nature.25 years ago he could hear in National parks the sound of trout breaking the surface of a mountain lake and the clear ringing morning song of western meadowlarks without the intrusion of chain-saws, off-road vehicles, the crackle of power lines and the roar of jets.15 minutes of natural silence is today extremely rare.


6/25/09