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 books of Naomi Klein.

The innate human ability to live in tune with nature.

The dignity of the whale.

The patience of the tortoise.

Releasing the dominance,

knowing gentle as strong, 

to converse with the scrub jays 

in their bold, wild, mellifluous song.