The forests are open to our rapacity,
trusting, thinking we will see,
we will learn.
But we don’t.
We trample our forests,
leave trash when we can’t be bothered.
Ignore advice of those who have learned,
then their pleas.

We see beauty, we think
“A house might be nice here”
We should cut these trees,
dam these rivers,
build some houses-
we could make
money.

Nature offered us the power
and the wisdom to use it.
We took the power,
but waved away the wisdom.
Nature blessed us with no predators
so we could live without fear.
Instead, we fight each other.

Nature made us selfish to survive
to care for ourselves and our families.
Do our children and their children
not count?
What will it take
for us to untie our blindfolds of avarice?
What will it take?

Mother Nature birthed us, cared for us.
But do we care for her
when she is old and ailing?
Do we let her lean on our shoulders,
support her as she supported us?
No.

We press poison
into wizened lips,
spit at her as she cries for help.