Wepna Loneagle image
from Grandmothers Circle the Earth
It is twilight and, from where I sit,
the world is peaceful and so beautiful.
Yet wildfires rage, consuming towns;
people and animals wild and tame
are fleeing - the climate refugees of today,
no politician cares to
know their name -
and in Afghanistan, people cling
to the underside of planes, with
desperation so extreme they'd rather
lift off and fall from above
than remain - like the falling bodies
of 9/11 - better to die leaping than to burn.
Floods, landslides, earthquakes -
everywhere is hurting. Yet our
politicians are not talking about the fact
our world is burning - they are
spouting empty words hoping
to gain more power, as if
the Apocalypse isn't right
outside our door.
As if we believe their empty
promises any more.
Yet, still, Mother Earth continues
living in her dying: small furry things are born,
gardens blossom (where they are not parched),
and children remain hopeful
that when they grow up, there will
still be old growth trees,
and air to breathe.
It is amazing how much every living thing
just wants to live.
Might we find a way
to nurture life, instead of
destroying everything for cash?
Night is falling. In a serene sky,
out my window, I see a half-moon
winking in at me.
I just don't want living things
to suffer. I don't want
animals to hurt or to flee
wildfires, terrified and burning,
their screams echoing
across the landscape
as the people evacuate in their SUV's.
I want we humans to be worthy
of the gift of life we have been given,
to tend the trees and gardens
of the earth with gentle hands.
I want us to be beings of life, not death,
of care, not greed.
The way of extraction capitalism
has brought us to the brink.
If we work with Mother Nature
to slow the pace of climate collapse
and restore the devastation,
it just might be possible to save
this world, I think.
It is in nature that I find my peace, my solace, my comfort - it strengthens me to bear what I must bear. I am so grateful to Mother Earth. And so sorry she is suffering because of those blinded by greed and money.
Another poem for my prompt at earthweal which considers the world as it might have been - or still might be if we had leaders ready to ACT.
Let us all be hopeful for the future and our mother earth.
ReplyDelete'everywhere is hurting.' You said that exactly right, Sherry. I really feel it. Wherever I look there is pain, but there is also the beauty and gentleness of the earth reminding us that there is another way.
ReplyDeleteI sit .. stunned .. at the depth of this poem. Might we find a way? I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteYou said it sister
ReplyDelete