Saturday, December 22, 2007

Poem from "The White Tree"


CHOICES

The world is full of possibilities
That grow empty in the choosing
Between this and that

Should I pay attention
To opinion and dispute
Swirling about me
Or listen to my own thoughts
In quiet moments

Should I pay attention
To world events and political scandals
Or listen to the liquid notes
Of the mockingbird
Singing in my neighbor's tree

What shall I value most
Things I've worked for
Things I own
Things I've created
Or the natural world
Beauty I cannot own
Except by experiencing it
Loving it

Whatever is valuable to me or to you
Won't matter if we let the earth die
Isn't this the gift to treasure
This lovely planet
That we fail to honor

Troy Parker Farr