What Did You Hear In President Obama's Speech?

Perception resides in the individual.

We see or hear, smell, taste or feel, what we expect, what we hope, what we fear.

In President Barrack Obama's speech this morning I heard something important to me: The mention of climate change and acknowledgement that this is a real challenge we must face.

When I travel to other places in the world, I am always struck by the knowledge and desire in other countries to actively work toward reducing carbon levels. They seem to see the potential impact on humanity if we do not. For too long, Americans have looked away from this reality. It is time to look again without fearing change.

                                  Green Spirit

                                  She stood
                                  Verdant and golden
                                  Light clinging
                                  As she jumped
                                  Forward into dark.

                                  Her fiddle head,
                                  Green with idealism,
                                  Boldly understanding
                                  Each day unfurls.
                                  Tender in innocence,
                                  Her resilient stem
                                  Was fibered by
                                  Challenges of eons.

                                  The slightest breeze
                                  Raced through
                                  Her leafy wings.
                                  She met the Sun’s
                                  Invitation to dance
                                  With
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