By coincidence I was bystanding Interrogated By the familiar When a squirrel said In a dialect "Don't shun the world. Shed it" I walked alone A public path And I observed the birds Taking a bath They sung in code But the message clear "Don't shun the world. Shed it" I had a drink At the concession stand There was a dog digging Through a garbage can He whispered low But I could understand "Don't shun the world. Shed it" I watched the ships As they arrived The waves lapping At the harborside And like a sleeping choir They gently cried "Don't shun the world. Shed it" Theres nothing left to do But go and ask the trees About the shedding of the world Do you agree? Their leaves rustled In the breeze And they replied Authoritatively "Don't shun the world. Shed it" If anyone you meet Does not believe it You tell them the talking trees They have decreed it