Learning Through Listening: High School Students Meet The Good Listening Project
One of our information sessions took a special turn when we were joined virtually by a high school class from Pittsburgh, PA. Their teacher was teaching a course on Human Flourishing through the Language Arts department and discovered The Good Listening Project while developing his curriculum.
Their teacher asked if his seniors could sit in on the session, learn about the healing and medicinal possibilities of poetry, and pose questions to our Listener Poets. Eighteen students brought their curiosity, insights, and thoughtful questions to the gathering.
We then invited our Community of Practice to respond to the students’ questions – transforming the opportunity into a lively exchange of ideas and experiences. The students’ curiosity touched on both the practical and the profound: What inspired you to become a Listener Poet? What do you listen for in conversations to guide your writing? How long does it usually take to craft a poem? They also posed big-picture questions about impact and meaning; wondering: How has this work opened doors you didn’t expect? How do recipients respond to their poems? In the age of AI, why does poetry matter?
The answers shared by our Listener Poets offer a window into the practice of deep listening and the ways poetry can create connection, healing, and insight across generations.
Questions About Being a Listener Poet
Q: I know you said that you love to help and care for people, but what made you want to become a listener poet specifically?
“I have always loved writing and grew up with two parents who were storytellers. I enjoy the idea of listening as a service, a poem as a gift. I also like the challenge of working in a relationship with the poemee, that they are the author and editor and I am more of a vessel or channel if you will. I listen too as they provide directions about how they want their poem/story to be until it is ‘just right.’”
“It combines two of my passions: holding space for people (listening to their stories and lived experiences) and writing.”
Q: What other opportunities has this field opened up to you that you didn’t think you would have run into if you had chosen a different path?
“I am about to release my first book - and it is poetry!! (I have two other books moving towards publishing – a creative non-fiction book and a novel. I never thought my first would be poetry!)”
Questions About Listening
Q: What are key things you listen for when having your conversations with people to help with your poems?
“So much of my listening is capturing people’s actual words, the language they use, how they express a particular emotion or event. Sometimes I will ask ‘big’ questions like “how has this changed you or who do you most want to know about this story?” and that provides additional background.”
“Someone told me to listen for the thing that gives you goosebumps. When I have a burning in my nose (like I’m going to cry) or a rush of goosebumps or a wave of sensation, I know that I am hearing the most important thing. Sometimes I take a walk after a session and consider the entirety of the story to get a general sense about themes or moments that really stuck out, then I start with those.”
Questions About the Poems
Q: Do you keep any copies of the poems you write or is there only one unique copy for the recipient?
“Sometimes I compose directly on the computer and sometime with pen and paper (then type a more complete draft into the computer). I always keep a final copy for myself (and share a PDF with the recipient). I don’t always save all the drafts of each poem.”
Q: How long does it take on average to craft a poem? Do some poems take longer than others and why?
“This is such a great question! I have varied from letting things sit for a few hours to a few days to a week or so. It is helpful to me to ‘sift’ the story’s notes and see what rises to the top in terms of pieces of language that are good for the origin story. The ‘ingredients’ of the poem come to me in many ways - through an image, a guiding metaphor, sometimes even in the moments where I am just waking up and the poem ‘pops’ into my head.”
“It totally depends! Some poems flow directly onto the page as though I am merely transcribing words from the Great Beyond, but others take many days and re-writes.”
“How long is a breath?
How far is sight?
Do you dream a dream?
Do you follow a path?
The length of time is measured in milliseconds
It is measured in hours
Time is the unbending bench
Upon which we place our words
How long does it take?
As long as you think
As long as you dream
As long as you smile
As long as you cry
A poem
/d’. 3.4.2025”
Q: Do certain poems take longer to craft because they have deeper meaning and are more emotional?
“Absolutely! Some poems are lighthearted, but others navigate difficult or challenging subjects or emotions. I always take care to consider the best way to honor the poemee’s story while gently cradling the deeper meaning or emotions. The hardest poem I wrote concerned the experience of someone who had survived an incredibly difficult situation – I worked hard to ensure the person’s story was centered on her (rather than her history of abuse).”
“100% YES. A little backwards erasure poem inspired by a Listener Poet’s poem ‘Two Bodied Being:’
Heartbroken
In awe
Not alone here
Hallways, imagined
Admittance through presence
Two bodied being”
Q: How do you get inspired to begin the writing the process to ensure you produce your most proud work?
“Over time I’ve developed a system that usually works well for me. Right after the listening session, I stretch, refill my water, take a brief break (5 mins).
Then, I review my notes and highlight all the words or phrases that stand out to me. They are usually phrases that contain vivid imagery, have interesting sounds, or convey the emotion the poemee was expressing. I create a new document with just those words and phrases, and then begin the next step.
This step involves reading other poems! As I’d review my notes, there’s usually a few ideas starting to brew about what the tone of the poem should be, or what the main focus might be – so I go looking for poems that express a similar tone, or use a technique I want to try to convey the content of this poem. I love using the Poetry Foundation’s filters to find poems by Subjects, Occasions, Holidays, Poetic Terms, Emotions, Audience, etc. The Poetry Foundation app also has a ‘Spin’ function where you can find poems based on Subject & Mood.
After reading a few poems (usually 2-3), I take another look at my notes and try to write a first draft. I put a timer on for 20 minutes and try to write for the whole time, even if at first I don’t think I’m in the right ‘flow.’ Usually, after 20 minutes of non-judgmental writing, just getting started and getting different thoughts and phrases on the page, something starts coming together. Usually, by the time 20 minutes is over, I either have a decent draft, or I want to keep writing!”
“Sometimes I am inspired by a shape or a song. Sometimes I hold an object or fragrance near me. I (usually) think about the poem for a long time before I sit down to begin writing it (sometimes I jot little notes before I actually sit down to write). Then, I make space and time and allow the magic of poetry to flow through me.”
“‘If we create space, that’s when the magic happens.’ - Listener Poet”
Q: Have there been people who didn't receive the poems very well, or been offended by them?
“Yes, there have been times when someone has felt that a poem didn’t fully capture their story—not so much that they were offended, but that it didn’t feel quite right to them. That’s one reason why our process is co-creative. We invite poemees to request edits or changes, because ultimately, the poem is for them, and we want it to resonate.
To be honest, it can be challenging to receive that kind of feedback, especially when, as a listener, know I’ve poured my heart into capturing what I heard. But part of this practice is learning to let go—recognizing that I can’t control how someone receives the poem, only how I show up with care and intention.
That said, the vast majority of poemees express deep gratitude and connection to their poem. But on occasion, someone feels differently, and that’s okay too.”
Q: In the age of AI, what makes you think poetry will stand the test of time?
“I think there are many ways to use AI and it can fuel creativity. Poetry is the language of the creative, the leaping, the illogical, the spirit. Sometimes a one-page poem has said more to me than an entire novel!
I like to think of AI as a flexible companion or audience at times, a new acquaintance, not a competitor. How do we know that AI will stand the test of time?”
“Poetry Stands
On its strength of conviction
On its words of power
On the queuing of thoughts
On the wealth of sharing
Poetry is life
Poetry is love
Poetry is the creative force of a thoughtful mind
Poetry is the string that ties humans together
AI is clever but not original
AI is a synthesis but not a commentary
Humans created AI for ease
Humans can destroy AI with ease
/d’. 3.4.2025”