I believe

in existing as waste-free as I possibly can.

In the immense symbolic power of carrying a travel mug.

And riding a bicycle.

Small book stores.

Reading aloud to children

and doing all the voices.

Unseen acts of integrity.

Light rail.

Dark skies.

The leadership of the Dalai Lama,

the poems of Maya Angelou.

The innate human ability to live in tune with nature.

The dignity of the whale.

The patience of the tortoise.

Releasing the dominance

to embrace gentle as strong, 

while conversing with the scrub jays 

in their bold, playful, sonorous song.