respect and reflect

quiet, please

time to think before answering

a moment to hear and take in

what is actually being said

to be able to respond

rather than react

listening is so difficult

without moments to reflect

and respect

expand

 snow gently falling in sapphire night

our world chilled to slowing

time for inhalation, catching of breath

a quiet explosion of wonder

that commands our attention

away from busy-ness to reality

of what-we-call time

as a local phenomenon

personal, now stretched out

to accommodate our need to be in awe

of what is so much more than

tasks or profit or accomplishment

but time to be present in vastness

time expanded to behold the universe