when the flames
stretch up, out
into a smoke infused sky
lick the edges of the earth dry
when the dirt
that once stained the palms
of an adventurous child
is now matted in hair
smeared on cheeks
when those who claim strength
turn out to be weak
i plant a seed
green, free
into the chaos beneath my feet
when the moon drips crimson
and the air starts to shake
when the people are in pain
they shiver and strain
when it seems that the world
is ending again
i kneel by my seed and pray
i choose
mercy
over gain
it is not enough
to end all this pain
wars raging
lives that need saving
people who have
no interest in hatred
puppets for the leaders
who do not put themselves
in the flames
there is more suffering, here
than i have the words to say
but as i kneel
pray
the seed sprouts
it does not know
how to shout
it does not know
what war is about
i cup it kindly
in my palms
in chaos, corruption
cruelty eruption
deceitful destruction
i try to be calm
i place the tips
of my fingers
on the face of my earth
and feel her tremble
as the politicians scramble
and armies assemble
i kiss the earth’s face
and hope for an end to the pain
it’s all so strange
there has always been pain
but if the world must be
encompassed in flames
i will not be the same
i will change
all i can change
a flower, in the earth
a palm on the pavement
it is not brave
it is sane
i think
we are losing
what it means to be sane.
20:35pm - 02/03/26