You Look at me and Wonder

Painted Rocks by Paul Causey

What am I. Is this art? What am I supposed to see?

You could tell all kinds of stories about me.

You could say how my sharp edges have been worn down

through the years by wind and rain,

how my rough skin was worn smooth by the proximity of others like me,

others of my kind seeking to find a place of last repose.

Or you could simply say that I am a rock and that is enough. 

I need to do nothing, to be nothing other than what I am. 

What you make of me is not my concern. 

I am what I am. 

If I could form words, have lips, a mouth to speak, 

that is what I would say. 

But since I have none of those things, 

have not that capability, 

then you must figure it out for yourself. 

You can look at me and wonder. 

Or not.

—Paul Causey

Inspired by “Reading John Cage on Sound” by Sarah Webb