Definition #209 Attention

Oliver Puzzles with Don
May 2015

Kathleen Jamie
“When we were young, we were told that poetry is about voice,

about finding a voice and speaking with this voice,

but the older I get I think it’s not about voice, it’s about listening and the art of listening,

listening with attention.

I don’t just mean with the ear;

bringing the quality of attention to the world.

The writers I like best are those who attend.”

Seamus Heaney, Annie Dillard, Elizabeth Bishop are writers who “attend.”

Riddle#27 Holy Mountain

Attention!
From the stump will grow a shoot! Isaiah 11:1
The Spirit will rest upon Him:
wisdom
understanding
counsel
might
knowledge
obedience
insight
truth
fairness
wolf and lamb
leopard and goats
lions and cows
babies and snakes
Nothing will hurt or destroy in all God’s holy mountain.
A glorious place!

Holy Mountain
A shoot
from the stump
grows
wisdom
might
fairness:
leopards and goats share
babies and snakes share
Nothing hurts or destroys on God’s Holy Mountain!

The Language of Affection

Owen, my son
Of 36 years
Used to sit on my lap
(for only a second)
When he was twenty.
Safe and home –
Counting on me.

Years later, he
Carried his father
Frail from mesothelioma
(whenever necessary)

Yesterday
He advised me
That his 3 year old daughter
Annika
Would be very upset
If I thought she ate all the chocolates,
Without permission.

She was reassured
Listening to Poppa tell me
Her feelings if I thought her sneaky.

Then today
After enjoying one chocolate,
She deposited the wrapping in my hand.
Evidence that all
Was understood:
The trust-
The certainty-
The affection-

The attention to details!