Presented at:

Listening for joy is an acquired art–
  once you tune in, it captures the heart.
So, here’s our calling, a daily campaign:
  turn down the static and sharpen the gain.
Joyously tuned noise is the ultimate goal,
  audible signals that quicken the soul.

Nothing’s as glorious as joyous air in motion;
  a proven elixir and universal potion.
You will not find it in “updates” or endless scrolls,
  nor in the robotic chatter of internet trolls.
Not from blathering oafs with their fake smiles
  or tinny tunes playing in the Walmart aisles.

Laughter fits the bill, every single time;
  for when it strikes our eardrums, spirits climb.
Like the words of children, spoken with care and confidence,
   revealing their world with honest innocence.
Their loud reactions to Santa’s gifts under the trees
  are the joyful noises we seek–guaranteed to please!

Sometimes, the only sweet notes we find
  play softly in the quiet recesses of the mind.
Familiar family chatter at a long-ago meal,
  an ancient aunt’s cackle, raspy and real.
I’m grateful to the elders who brought me to this place–
  the echoes of their voices now brighten my face.

The children bring me back to the noise at hand,
  and I hear my own voice join in their ad-lib band.
Joyful sounds like these warm me, from the inside out;
  they’re the gifts that keep giving–there’s no doubt.  
May the sounds of elation ringing in this season’s air
  resound with you heartily against winter’s cold stare!