Dear Mother

Dear Mother Earth,

sorry.

You had given us choices which we only

messed up every time.

You gave us plenty of room to breathe,

and space on your soil,

yet, we even tried to mutate the sweetness

of a yam;

instead of just watch and let it grow.

We tilled up places more than we needed

and wasted resources you offered us, in

return of which we only blew dirt.

You gave us even without asking,

and as always we only took, calling it as

our progress.

But Mother, please, be gentle.

For,there are children sleeping

who have never learned our greed,

but reach for their mothers.

And their mothers—

warmed a meal,

folded a little clothing,

listened for a breath

in the darkness?

The animals, Mother,

the birds—

they have only been living?

A dog waiting at a doorway.

A bird returning with food.

Something small asleep

in the grass.

They don’t know what has happened.

We humans must answer for our deeds.

We forget that, against your fury, we never stand a chance.

But Mother, I plead tonight please be calm.

Please, let there be another breath.

Another cry from under the rubble.

Another pair of hands

reaching in time.

And when the morning comes,

let us not leave the work

to you.

Let us bring water and make room.

Let us hold whoever is left,

without asking who they are.

You have held us each time.

Let us also learn

to hold each other.

With Love.