That towering pine,

that bent willow,

that scurrying mouse,

that leaping deer,

that stinging wasp,

that honey-making bee,

that soaring eagle,

that light-shy bat,

that wiggling minnow,

that striking snake,

that climate change denier,

this poem-writer –

yes, all of us –

all of us are matter

and yes, oh yes,

we each matter.

                                                              JDG