The Earth Is Weeping

Almost midday amidst

The coming of the storm

A gathering of forces

Pushing hard to be seen

The relentless stillness

Waiting for an inkling of

A final frozen night.

The explosive roar of a jet

No, just the wind

Hurling and spitting

Gusts of breath beginning

To deepen and rip apart

Structures not cemented

Or bolted down.

The grumbling creek traversing

Live oaks, boulders and debris

Shreds the earth revealing

Once concealed roots

Now bare for all to see,

Tangled in utter chaos

A glimpse into tomorrow

Alas, another fallen tree.

The wind falls limp

Back into docility.

While leaves and limbs

Withhold judgement

Releasing anger as if

Mesmerized by millions of

Muses and thoughts of the human

Collective, quietly engaged

In their individualized

Perception of life.

Mother earth weeps, her

Crystallized tears wash

Away the betrayal,

Disregard, ignorance,

Disrespect, all in the name

Of love and creation.

Once again anticipating

Winter's end,

The return of Spring,

Wildflowers, and

Human kindness.

Laurie B. Ballard

April 4, 2024