the world doesn’t need

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
over 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.