the world doesn’t need
poets or painters
or politicians.
and it doesn’t want
your sorrow or anger, too —
no matter how righteous
it may seem.
the world never asked
for guns or war.
and it doesn’t hold
precious all your oil
or gold.
no, what this world needs
transcends a singular
logic or reason,
like a breeze
ruffling un-mown barley
or a butterfly’s kiss.
and though i could list
a million more things,
it’s good to know
it doesn’t need anything
i think.
