OUR MOTHER IS SPEAKING

California mountains moan

amber red flames lick night sky

“Grandchilden, why did you not listen?”

as tears flood New Orleans

Arctic sea ice has lost its thickness

Glaciers let go of their stories

into an acidifying ocean

“Did I not provide you all you needed?”

A Brazilian tree buckles, then falls

we hold an ax that dangles

as we stare blank at a screen

a static wall divides us from our truth

“Remember where you came from!”

opulence burdens the poor

will we be refugees of no refuge?

“Grandchildren, I am speaking to you.”

at Standing Rock we gather

we pray to our Mother

“Mother, we love you, Mother, we hear you, Mother, please forgive us for harming you. We remember where we come from, we remember we are connected. We are here to protect you, Mother, Mother, Mother. We embrace you, we embrace each other. Our spirits are strong, we remember we are real human beings. The teachings are alive. Your grandchildren have awakened, Mother. We are here with you.”