Having been quiet
for most of 
the last four 
years I’ve found 
a profound pleasure 
in just listening 
listening to other 
people talk and 
listening to silence 
that hangs between 
us like autumn 
leaves about to 
fall for them 
the discomfort is 
palpable but for 
me the silence 
draws us closer 
like the dusk 
draws the day
into its night 

This ease
of quiet 
an easement 
or walkway 
a footpath 
of peace 
meandering tween
like tweed’s
woolen threads
that give 
lofty color 
to plaids
own warmth 

A soccer ball 
helped me realize 
that we humans 
have more pride 
in our countries 
than we do 
in our governments 
and that humanity 
as a collective 
speaks the language 
of friendship between 
our nations is
its greatest truth 

It comes 
in cleaning 
and clearing 
the mind
it goes 
when one 
closes the 
door behind 
let go 
of yesterday’s 
dirt grime 
and debris 
say hello 
to today 
and its 
sparkling sheen