Listen Carefully

Placing my ear to the ground

Attempting to listen

Listen carefully

To the oncoming crusade

Intently

With soft pause

Without anger

With my hand not in a fist

I listen

To the trembling

The slight murmur of movement

From far away

The rattle is getting louder

Close

I listen carefully

I reflect

I remember

I’m tempted to respond

I stand tall

Steadfast

No intention of leaving

No departure

I listen carefully

To the wind

Carrying the echoes from canyons beyond

Listening to the flights of birds

The rain landing on the earth

The slow trickle of a river

Placing my ear to the ground

Attempting to listen

Listen carefully

To the oncoming crusade

© 2026 David Greg Harth

26.04.23.16.09.23@345NYC