listening

While the wind roars, I put my ear to the trunk of a pine and hear the air hissing up and down, fairly crawling over that great column with its skin of rough bark, and it sounds like rushing water. It is part of an inheritance that we have been long neglecting, and to our peril. 

John Hay, The Immortal Wilderness

The wind has been wicked the past few days. Until reading a passage from John Hay tonight, I never considered listening to it by placing my ear upon the trunk of a tree.

It made me think also about a radio show I heard about listening to tomatoes grow--how one can place a stethoscope to a tomato and hear it gurgling on the vine. As soon as the tomato is plucked, though, the gurgle instantly stops (or so the story told). I have always wanted to try listening to my garden grow. Now, I'm also inspired to listen to the wind differently.

I'm going to try placing my ear to the trunk of tree tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find, and please let me know if you try.