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Listen!
Patience Strong's poem, Listen!, reminds us how much we can miss when we become too busy to notice the sounds around us. Listening is more than hearing the words someone speaks. It can mean becoming quiet enough to hear the birds, the wind, the rain, music, familiar voices, and the many other sounds that are part of everyday life.
Where we live can change what we hear. A busy city may be filled with traffic, sirens, and people, while the countryside offers birdsong, rustling leaves, and the wind moving through the trees. Yet even in a city, a walk through a park can give us an opportunity to slow down and listen. Many Famous Poems remind us, as this one does, that ordinary moments can hold beauty and meaning when we take the time to notice them.
Updated August 10, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Listen!
Poet: Patience Strong
"Listen -
that's a lovely word -
it makes us quiet and still -
There's so much in the world to hear -
The birds that chirp and trill -
The wild wind fluting in the trees -
The drumming of the rain -
The muffled fluttering of moths against a window pane;
Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt and Grieg -
Giants of music's art -
Created golden melodies to stir the human heart -
The world is full of lovely sounds -
They fall about our ears -
Remembered in serenity-
They echo down the years -
A voice we love, a waterfall, a violin, a thrush -
All steal into the quiet heart in Memory's solemn hush....
So close your eyes and listen,
You will hear all kinds of things -
The secret language of flowers -
The whir of fairies' wings...
Key Reflections In This Poem
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Take time to truly listen
Life is filled with sounds we often miss because we are too busy to notice them. When we become quiet and listen, we can discover beauty that has been around us all along.
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Nature has its own music
Birdsong, wind in the trees, and rain each have their own special sound. The poem reminds us that some of life's most beautiful music can be found simply by listening to nature.
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Music can touch the heart
Beautiful music has a way of reaching our emotions and staying with us. The great composers mentioned in the poem remind us how melodies can bring comfort, joy, and memories.
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Sounds can bring back memories
A familiar voice, a piece of music, or a sound from nature can carry us back to another time. Even years later, these sounds can awaken memories of people and moments we hold dear.
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Quiet moments help us notice more
When we slow down and become still, we begin to notice things that can easily be overlooked. Listening gives us an opportunity to appreciate the simple wonders that surround us each day.
Quotes from the poem, Listen!
"There's so much in the world to hear - the birds that chirp and trill "
Patience Strong
I am reminded of just a few short months ago when I moved into the city from a quiet country setting. At first, it appeared that the city offered many things that I couldn't experience in the country without driving an hour to reach them. The convenience of city living, however, soon became less appealing. The constant hum of traffic, the shouts from backyard parties, and the continuous barking of neighbors' dogs seemed to surround me from all sides. Ambulances racing to the hospital, along with police and fire sirens, often disturbed the quiet and made it difficult to hear the birds singing nearby.
However, that constant noise is now behind me as I have once again moved to the quiet countryside, surrounded by open fields and green forests. How delightful it is to once again hear the calls of different birds as they perch among the trees. And how wonderful it is to look up and see the majestic wingspan of a bald eagle or hawk floating high above in search of its next meal.
"So close your eyes and listen, you will hear all kinds of things - the secret language of flowers - the whir of fairies' wings..."
Patience Strong
There is much to be said about the different ways we listen. We hear the soft sounds of a baby sleeping, the crackling of a fireplace, the wind moving through the trees, or the birds singing in the morning. But listening can also go beyond the sounds we hear. Sometimes the expression on someone's face or their body language can tell us more than the words they speak. When we become quiet and still, we begin to notice so much that can easily be missed in the busyness of everyday life.
Nature also has a way of reminding us to pay attention. The flutter of a moth, the buzz of a bee, the rustling of leaves, or the sounds of a garden filled with life can easily go unnoticed. Yet, when we slow down and take the time to listen, these simple things can bring a sense of peace and appreciation. God has given us so much beauty to enjoy, but sometimes we need to quiet our busy thoughts long enough to notice it.
Popular Pages
If the words of this poem encouraged you to slow down and listen, these pages offer more thoughts about nature, inspiration, and the quiet beauty found around us.
Let the sights and sounds of the natural world refresh your thoughts with these Nature Poems that celebrate the beauty found all around us.
Find encouraging words to brighten your outlook and lift your spirit in these Inspirational Poems.
Discover thoughtful Listening Quotes that remind us how much we can learn when we give others and the world around us our full attention.
Pause to appreciate one of nature's simple gifts with this Flower Poem and its thoughts about the beauty we can easily overlook.
Enjoy the peace that comes from leaving noise and hurry behind in Far From The Madding Crowd, a poem that celebrates the quieter side of life.
Conclusion
Patience Strong's poem reminds us that listening is about more than simply hearing words. There is music in birdsong, rain, wind, familiar voices, and even in the quiet moments that bring treasured memories back to mind. When life becomes busy and noisy, taking a few moments to be still can help us notice what we have been missing. May this poem encourage you to listen a little more closely and appreciate the many beautiful sounds that are part of each day.