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The Skilful Listener

by John Vance Cheney

Who listens well hears Nature on her round,

When least she thinks it; bird and bough and stream

Not only, but her silences profound,

Surprised by nicer cunning of his dream.

My feeling is that there is nothing in life but refraining from hurting others, and comforting those that are sad

• Olive Schreiner

Were there a tear To spare, where better To be sure the gesture Would linger than here In its own little bottle Blown from a hot bubble To ...