in sweaty palms we held
a world filled with wonder
but our fingers were stained
with soot –
like a wall of shame
after a consuming fire

our basic needs were met
by a plague of greed
as we plucked trees like berries
to make the devil’s paper –
claiming ownership of the earth’s features
in that revealing our true nature

the rain, it came in waves –
a reign of terror
but the crops were drying
people were dying
while the oceans cried
as it took flight –
thus the plight of the coronavirus

soon the aeroplanes rested
and the birds reached for the sky
busy bees began to make honey
as the world naturally purged
of humans without any humanity

now is our time to let go
and reflect –
to give the earth a chance
to take a deep breath