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.

And reading aloud to children

and doing all the voices.

Unseen acts of integrity.

Light rail.

Dark skies.

The leadership of the Dalai Lama,

Oprah Winfrey,

Greta Thunberg.

In the innate human ability to live in tune with nature.

The dignity of the whale.

The patience of the tortoise.

Releasing the dominance

and embracing the song,

to converse with the scrub jays 

in their bold, wild, mellifluous tongue.