Dear Earth! You endlessly
astonish me!
How is it
that each Spring
is made more beautiful,
more precious,
than the last?
The leaves, the shoots,
the buds,
All so tender,
Yet they represent
the triumph over Winter,
over howling winds
and crushing snow drifts.
Such strength and resiliency
is now manifested in a pale green fuzz
covering the hillsides!
Little party-favor dangles represent the new season
to celebrate.
Blossoms
of every sort-
Pink, yellow, white, magenta-
add to the fiesta.
I hope it is not Earth
in Her death throes:
Her pollution,
Eco-devastation,
Global warming,
Putting on her most beautiful
death mask.
I pray it is Her saying,
“I am,
I will be,
Despite the
human infestation.”