Listen mindfully.
The low moo of the cow
The different caws of of rook and crow
The skylark warbling up above
Sparrows indignant chatter as we walk by.
Greenfinch, Goldfinch, unknown bird,
Quack of duck and whistle of train
All these are the sounds of my countryside
Not right, not wrong, just as it is.
The rumble of cars
Broken by the roar of motorbike
Clatter and crash of recycling being removed
The whirring of helicopter flying overhead
Barking dogs, some we know, some we don't
Hum of dragonfly and rustle of leaves
All these are the sounds of my countryside
Not right, not wrong, just as it is.
Listen closer and hear
the wind brushing my ear.
Go deeper to the whistling of tinitus
to the sound of my heart, my breath
And ever inward to the chattering of my mind
Some thoughts are known and some are not yet formed
All these are the sounds of my countryside
Not right, not wrong, just as it is.
By Diane Woodrow