Why Shouldn’t I Sing? Poem by K.L. Johnston

image by Gerd Altmann, on Pixabay

Praise  

The constant language 

and song of this earth, 

no dictionary 

big enough, scored by 

chuckling rapids, 

breeze chatter of leaf, 

susurrus of owls, 

liminal whispers: 

the higher choir 

of stars, moon, pouring 

blessings, hauling up 

celebration’s tides.         

If I walk up-right 

journeying through this 

earth’s wonders and signs 

in bewilderment, 

why shouldn’t I sing 

as I stride, shouldn’t 

I join this morning’s 

descant when the wren 

by my front door trills 

from her nest, singing 

holy with three notes?

K.L. Johnston is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet best known for works

centered in spiritual experience, nature, and

trauma survival. Author of three books of poetry,

In Every Season, The Nature of These Gifts, 

and Grace Period, her poems appear in literary

magazines, reviews, and anthologies both in

print and online. You can find out more at www.Facebook.com/Kathleen-Johnston.

(April 2026 issue)