Look up

So many people hurry along,

Looking down

Staring at their feet

And at the pavement.

Or caught up by a little glowing box

In their hand

Intensely intent on the content.

So connected

That they disconnect

From the wonderful world

Of the senses.

And so they miss

The splendour of a deep blue dome of sky

A bowler hat cloud

Shooting stars

The perfect crook of a silver crescent moon

A heron’s languid flight

A paintbox sunset

A squirrel leaping

From branch to branch

Airplane contrails making an X

Flowers in window boxes

A solitary oak on a hilltop

Distant downpours

A flag fluttering in the breeze

And so many other little miracles

Of life

And perhaps the sweetest of all:

A momentary meeting of glances

A shared smile in passing

With another rare soul

Who understands the reward

Of looking up.