We gather here together in our third session of four
To talk, reflect and contemplate together one time more
Thanks, Linda, Sally, Mark for all the effort that you gave
To fostering a space for us that is both safe and brave
We started by referring to Archbishop Desmond Tutu
The essence of humanity, he says, lies in ubuntu
A person is a person through relationships, we learned
And we can thrive within the trusting circle we have earned
There’s different types of listening, each has a different role
If there’s a fire, listen to your agenda is the goal
To diagnose, we aim to fix, and often analyze
But in deep listening, we learned, do NOT aim to advise
Ask open honest questions. A most important part
Is that you listen with your ears that are within your heart
You let the speaker hear themself, stand at the intersection
Of presence and of letting go, attention and intention
We talked about identities. What made us who we are?
Shared stories of experiences lived both near and far
Each of us is “other.” So let’s take joy and pride
In differences that can connect much more than they divide
We did “Samoan circles” and we found, to our elation
That we could talk of difference and survive the conversation!
And on the second day, as a warm cohesive bunch
We had an indoor and an outdoor lovely picnic lunch
The session soon is ending. We’ll take off and back we’ll roam
From Boston to whatever place we’re used to calling home
Our time together is a gift. I’m grateful to you all
Let’s look ahead to when we’ll be together in the fall.
Laura Liberman, MD
C-Change Mentoring and Leadership Institute 2018 participant