What Olson noted is that each tree has
its own sound its own voice which may vary
with the seasons and whether there is wind
or not and depending on its direction
and strength
What an acute ear it requires
to identify each species Perhaps
the birds have it or certain birds perhaps
All those years ago the tamarinds in
Liberia and the afternoon breeze
that lifted the bone dry dust from their leaves
and at night the black sky peppered with a
billion stars or more tiny pinpricks of
light empty universe longing for life
the warm intimacy
of human love
John Lyons
johnjosephlyons 