optimism is a choice of sorts

All the Meaningful Noise



      by Scott Owens






How can you be on this earth
            and not close your eyes on occasion
                         and listen to leaves give voice to wind,
                                                  hear the laugh of crow,
                          annunciation of blue jay,
               moan of mourning dove,
         all the meaningful noise
of another spring day?

Behind the finishing plant
                off the run-down road
                  between failing furniture towns,
                         a field is bursting with purple flowers.
                                            If you close your eyes
                                              you can hear the cosmos opening.




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