Widespread wildfires in the western United States, destructive hurricanes and droughts, rising seas worldwide. Is Mother Earth sending us a message about our neglect and abuse of the natural environment? Or is she gradually taking leave of us?
Mother of Us All
Mother of us all is leaving
her spirit flies above the waters
she is taken in the ice of winter
she is taken in the gray of twilight
there are no promises for her return.
When she was with us, we forgot her
she bade us come to silken forests
she brought us to the dens of beasts
but we were cold, and shut our eyes
now mother of us all is leaving.
She brought us nights, and stars, and darkness
gave us wings and tongues of gold
but we were silent, and we dared not speak.
She took us to the heights of mountains
showed us splendor in the valleys
the river softly flowing
the voices of the wind
but we were angry and regretful
and we turned our faces.
Mother of us all is leaving
taken in the death of winter
now lonely in the chill of firelight
we pray for her return.