listening—and I mean real 

listening, without interrupting to say,

     but what about…

     or

     sure, but what if…

     or especially

     but not that’s not me…—

listening to listen

listening to learn

listening to hear and to understand

listening because you care

listening without stopping, even when the

listening gets hard, even when the

listening tightens your chest, even when the

listening requires you to hear things you have never been required to hear before

     (ways you have caused pain)

     (ways you have abused your power)

     (ways you have been hiding behind your privilege)

listening like that, without running away

listening and staying, leaning in and saying

     yes, and tell me more…

listening of this kind is courageous 

listening of this kind requires steadiness and faith

listening of this kind has potential

listening of this kind can build a bridge

listening of this kind can transform fear into love

     shouting over the oppressed is a coward’s prerogative

     I want to know:

     are you brave enough for this kind of 

listening