You are a part of me I do not yet know.
—Valerie Kaur

•••

Hope begins with understanding—
or, at least, the willingness to listen,

understanding that understanding
may come later—or not—

but in listening, truly listening,
setting aside our uniquely human

tendency to immediately render
a judgment, at least in our heads,

if not our hearts, we might find
the merest bit of connection,

the possibility of common ground,
even with those who seem or think

or appear to be utterly unlike us.
Hope—yes, the thing with feathers

that never stops singing the tunes
without the words—

is the bird trilling its generous
music behind all the noise.

If we quiet ourselves, listen with
patience, understanding may

fly in, too, which may be the most
hopeful gift of all.