I Will Stand For the Wildlands

collage by Jerry LoFaro

What will I defend,

in this topsy-turvy world,

setting off in a direction

we never expected?

I will stand for the wildlands

and its creatures, who are 

fast disappearing.

I will stand for their habitat,

being laid waste for dollars,

and for the dying whales

in the warming sea.

I will speak for the polar bears, 

swimming ten miles for a meal 

where the ice used to be.

I will wield my pen till my last breath

saying: "Please! Stop!

Take measure of what we are doing

to Mother Earth,

who is patient,

but who can't withstand, forever,

all the good we are taking from her,

all the bad we are dumping into her waters,

and expelling into her air."

I will defend the indigenous peoples' right

to exist, free from oppression, 

and corporate takeovers

of their sacred lands,

for they love and understand the land,

and we should be listening to them.

I will defend Mother Wolf

and her babies from harm,

as the helicopters hover,

and the men raise their guns.

I will stand for the wildlands,

the trees and the birds.

I will stand for the last of the last

wild creatures,

lion and elephant,

tiger and bear. 

As they pace their slow way

into history, I will sadly

and tearfully

wave them goodbye.

for Elizabeth Crawford's Creativity Challenge at 1sojournal: Defend: what will you defend in this current political climate?