I learned about listening
from my grandmother Ruth
who allowed great silences
to live and breathe
in a conversation. She
then would say the most
apt thing, having thought
about what she would say.
And then she would return
to quiet. She knew the give
and take—and she knew—
most of it should be give—
Poem: TIM NOLAN is a lawyer and poet living in Minneapolis. His work has appeared in The Nation, The New Republic, Ploughshares, and other magazines. His most recent book of poems is The Field, published by New Rivers Press.
Art: KRISTI ABBOTT is an artist fascinated by color, pattern, and texture. She combines these elements in her artwork using substrates, papers, and embellishment materials. Her influences are pop art, pop culture, Hollywood, music, and fashion.
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