Letter from Home

By Lauren Y

A poem reflecting on the relationship between Earth and humans.

I am the traveling land,
cracked bowl. I sustain
the weight
of your palm, blooming
& reblooming, sway
to season to slaughter.
You leave me
with fire & gas & poisonous,
poisonous things, call it acid
or carbon or indifference.
Why can’t you take care
of anything? I knew the shape
of your ear once. Your love
the nights you remembered
my name, called me beautiful.
I want to be beautiful, floral
form & wild waves & slurred
sand. Like you, I enjoy living
with a good green, perfect
blue. I can’t die
willingly. There is smoke
in the garden, metal
haunting seawater. Don’t lie
now. I am only a home
if you listen, look. Help me.

Process

The piece was inspired by the Earth Day workshop. The final draft ended up being much different from the first one, but I think I’m satisfied with how it turned out!